Trust for Nature Rate Incentive
The Shire offers a discounted 'Trust for Nature' Rate to landholders who have placed a Trust for Nature conservation covenant on their property.
This rate acknowledges the long-term commitment of these landholders to protecting biodiversity on their land.
Under the Trust for Nature Rate, landholders receive a discount of 65% off their rates on the area of land protected under the covenant.
Trust For Nature's conservation covenant program enables landholders to permanently protect biodiversity on their property to help conserve some of Victoria's most threatened species of flora and fauna. A conservation covenant is a permanent, legally binding agreement placed on a property's title to ensure the land is protected forever. The agreement is voluntary and negotiated between Trust for Nature and landholders. Please note that the Shire does not assess properties for eligibility for a Trust for Nature conservation covenant.
Landholders do not need to apply to Shire to receive this rate.
When a landholder registers their conservation covenant with Trust for Nature, the Shire will be notified and will adjust your rates accordingly. We’ll then send you a confirmation letter with details of the rate discount and how it will be applied.
Other Biodiversity Incentive Programs
The Shire also offers a Conservation Land Rate to eligible land owners undertaking biodiversity conservation works on their property. For more information visit our Conservation Land Rate page.
New land tax exemption for conservation covenants
Trust for Nature and Mornington Peninsula Shire are excited to announce that, as of 1 January 2024, all landholders with a Trust for Nature covenant will be eligible for a land tax exemption over the proportion of their land under covenant.
This exemption is a huge win for landholders and Victoria’s wildlife, and a change Trust for Nature, covenantors and Mornington Peninsula Shire have strongly advocated for. The exemption recognises the amazing contribution landholders with conservation covenants are making to the future of our environment. This exemption is likely to encourage even more landholders to take the vital step to protecting habitat on their land forever.
For more information on the exemption, visit the Trust for Nature website: Trust for Nature tax information for landholders
Further information on Conservation Covenants
For further information on Trust for Nature conservation covenants:
Download: What is a Conservation Covenant?(PDF, 884KB)
Visit their website: Trust for Nature - Conservation Covenants
Watch the video to hear more about why Protecting the Peninsula through conservation covenants is so important: