26 September 2023

Credit program to grow land diversity

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The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has said landholders have an opportunity to diversify their income as the Biodiversity Credit Exchange (BCE) moves into the Murraylands and Riverland region after successful implementation across the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North.

DEW said that under the BCE, landholders received payments to establish and maintain areas of native vegetation.

The Department said the BCE was delivered by DEW on behalf of the Native Vegetation Council and gave eligible landholders access to funding to manage and protect areas of native vegetation on their land in order to generate biodiversity credits.

Manager of Native Vegetation with DEW, Sarah Reachill said the program had been a resounding success on the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North, which saw three landholders establish BCE sites.

“These landholders are being paid on an annual basis for 10 years to protect and manage over 820 hectares of remnant native vegetation on their land,” Ms Reachill said.

“The credits generated on their land are listed on the Native Vegetation Credit Register and can then be sold to buyers that are required to offset vegetation clearances in the same region,” she said.

Ms Reachill said it was a great way for landholders to diversify their income while helping to protect the environment.

She said the BCE would target sites of high conservation value across the region with two target areas in Mount Barker and the broader Murray River.

She said once established, the BCE would provide clearance applicants with a straightforward and efficient way to meet their Significant Environmental Benefit (SEB) obligations.

Further information on BCE can be accessed at this PS News link.

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