The Yarra Ranges Biodiversity Offsets Program aims to provide local offset options to compensate for the loss of native vegetation. The program establishes offset sites on council land that are protected in perpetuity and manages biodiversity credits that permit holders can purchase. The goals of the program are to offer strategic and local offsets, achieve quality ecological outcomes, and provide an efficient offsetting service. The program has established offset sites in Emerald, Montrose, Monbulk, and Healesville and has facilitated over $350,000 in offset trades since becoming operational in 2012.

1. Yarra Ranges
Biodiversity Offsets Program
(BOP)

3. Avoid
Minimise
Offset

4. What is a biodiversity offset?
Compensation for the loss of native vegetation
• Revegetation
• Remnant vegetation
• Onsite vs. Offsite offsets
• Ongoing management
• Protection of offsets
• Limitations

5. Offset Issues
Permit
Holders
• Complexity, timeframes and $$$
• Lack of local offset options
Council
• Monitoring and compliance
• Internal offset requirements
Environment
• Loss in local ecological values
• Questionable ecological outcomes

6. Offsets at other end of state!
OFFSET
LOSS

7. Biodiversity Offsets Program
Goal 1:
• Local offset options
Goal 2:
• Strategic and proactive offsets
Goal 3:
• Quality ecological outcomes
Goal 4:
• Efficient offsetting service

8. How it works
•
•
•
•
•
Offsets located on Council land
Offsets sites are protected in perpetuity
Offsets credits are ‘banked’
Permit holders can purchase offsets
Council owns and manages the offset
sites

9. Emerald
Montrose
Monbulk
Healesville

10. The Healesville
Offset Site
(The Old Tip)

13. Costing Model
• The costing model is based on cost recovery
and includes:
–
–
–
–
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Revegetation costs
Pest plant and animal control
Fencing and site management
Ecological consultant and legal fees
Salary for the Biodiversity Offsets Officer
• Costs for different sites varies significantly

14. $60,000 per Habitat Hectare
$240,000 per Habitat Hectare

15. Credit prices
• Credit prices for 2012-2013 (excl GST) are:
–
–
–
–
$99,000 per Habitat Hectare
$2,300 per Very Large Old Tree
$2,000 per Large Old Tree
$39 per recruit
• There are no additional fees
• New system has just commenced
(Biodiversity Equivalence Units)

16. Trades to date
The Program became operational in
September 2012:
– 27 trades completed (plus 13 active)
– $350,000+ in offset credits
– Trades vary from ($1,500 to $45,000)
– Various customers
– Focus on customer service

17. Case study:
Footpath development
Monbulk

18. Summary
•Offsets provide financial incentive to
avoid and minimise impacts
•Strategic and proactive offsets can
achieve quality ecological outcomes
•Local governments can play a key role
in providing offsets

19. Joanna Lebbink
Biodiversity Offsets Officer
Phone: 9294 6288
j.lebbink@yarraranges.vic.gov.au