A conservation covenant is a legally binding agreement that protects important natural values on private land. It is registered on the land title and continues when a property is sold.
In lutruwita/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.
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.
