A conservation covenant is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and the Crown. In Tasmania, conservation covenants are made under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. Benefits can include land tax exemption for the covenant area, possible council rate rebates in some areas, and access to advice and support for land management.
Early covenant agreements were established under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970. Since 31 December 2002 covenants have been registered under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, and so most covenants are between a landowner and the Minister responsible for administering the Nature Conservation Act.
The Private Land Conservation Program is the overarching program of the Department of NRE Tas responsible for the management and administration of conservation covenants.
Conservation covenants are designed to support ongoing, responsible land management by private landowners - not to replace it.
What covenants are for
Conservation covenants are used to:
safeguard biodiversity and healthy ecosystems
protect threatened species and ecological communities
conserve landscapes, waterways and geoconservation features
contribute to the National Reserve System and global conservation targets
What a covenant includes
A conservation covenant is supported by three key documents:
The Covenant Agreement
The legal agreement registered on title.
The Nature Conservation Plan
A management plan that describes natural values, sets out management obligations and authorised activities, and supports adaptive management over time.
The Central Plan Register map
A spatial record showing the land subject to covenant.
What a covenant does not do
A conservation covenant does not:
Covenants are designed to support active stewardship — not “lock up” land.
Contribution to global targets
The Private Land Conservation Program is part of a global effort to protect biodiversity, and one of several programs that operate under regulatory frameworks in Australian states and territories. The Private Land Conservation Program is recognised as an approved conservation covenanting program by the Australian Government.
In-perpetuity covenants contribute to global biodiversity targets by protecting Tasmania’s unique landscapes and ecosystems that may include threatened ecological communities, flora and fauna species, listed at both the Commonwealth and state level.
Conservation covenants form part of Australia’s National Reserve System and help meet international commitments, including the Global Biodiversity Framework target to protect 30% of land 30% of marine areas by 2030.
Nature conservation covenants are mapped nationally through the Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) and internationally as IUCN category properties. This ensures covenanted land is recognised as part of national and international protected areas.
Tasmania already has 50% of our landmass in the reserve estate. Private land extends conservation commitments and allows targeting of threatened species and communities, and under-reserved regions.