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Purpose of Policy
The purpose of the draft Native Vegetation on Rateable Land Policy is to provide Council with a policy framework to guide how an annual rate rebate (rebate or concession) may be granted to eligible properties with a registered Trust for Nature Conservation Covenant and/or a Landcare Management Agreement. The rebate is provided under section 169(1)(b) and (c) of the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) (rebates and concessions for environmental interest).
This policy sets out eligibility criteria, evidence requirements and how the rebate is calculated, applied and administered to support the protection and ongoing management of native vegetation on private land within the municipality.
Council has established a rate rebate scheme to encourage landholders to preserve and manage native vegetation, including through conservation covenants and land management agreements. The scheme is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains clear, equitable and efficient to administer.
The Proposed Amendments
At the Council meeting in May 2016, Council adopted the above policy, putting it in place for 10 years. As this expires in May 2026, Council is required to review the policy arrangements. It is proposed that the current policy is retained for existing arrangements only but with strengthened requirements for assessing eligibility, as per the attachment.
No amendments are proposed, only a continuation of the current Policy arrangements for ratepayers with existing agreements. The existing agreements will be subject to continuous review and may be revoked or altered if requirements are not met.
Feedback from You
Before Council adopts the Policy, we'd like to hear from you! Please read the draft Policy (attached to this page) and complete the survey below and provide your feedback.
Please provide your feedback by 11:59pm on Thursday 28 May 2026.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact Petra Croot, Director Corporate and Community Services, on (03) 5391 4444, or email info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Purpose of Policy
The purpose of the draft Native Vegetation on Rateable Land Policy is to provide Council with a policy framework to guide how an annual rate rebate (rebate or concession) may be granted to eligible properties with a registered Trust for Nature Conservation Covenant and/or a Landcare Management Agreement. The rebate is provided under section 169(1)(b) and (c) of the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) (rebates and concessions for environmental interest).
This policy sets out eligibility criteria, evidence requirements and how the rebate is calculated, applied and administered to support the protection and ongoing management of native vegetation on private land within the municipality.
Council has established a rate rebate scheme to encourage landholders to preserve and manage native vegetation, including through conservation covenants and land management agreements. The scheme is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains clear, equitable and efficient to administer.
The Proposed Amendments
At the Council meeting in May 2016, Council adopted the above policy, putting it in place for 10 years. As this expires in May 2026, Council is required to review the policy arrangements. It is proposed that the current policy is retained for existing arrangements only but with strengthened requirements for assessing eligibility, as per the attachment.
No amendments are proposed, only a continuation of the current Policy arrangements for ratepayers with existing agreements. The existing agreements will be subject to continuous review and may be revoked or altered if requirements are not met.
Feedback from You
Before Council adopts the Policy, we'd like to hear from you! Please read the draft Policy (attached to this page) and complete the survey below and provide your feedback.
Please provide your feedback by 11:59pm on Thursday 28 May 2026.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact Petra Croot, Director Corporate and Community Services, on (03) 5391 4444, or email info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
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