Maroondah Council's Biodiversity Rate Concession Program (BRCP) is designed to encourage the protection and enhancement of biodiversity on private land within Maroondah. The program aims to improve the long-term survival of biodiversity through a rate rebate, land management assistance, advice and training of landowners in protection methods. The rate rebate is designed to subsidise the purchase of items, such as plants and services, to protect and manage the biodiversity values of the property.
The BRCP has several different criteria to identify an eligible property. Maroondah properties that are identified in the Maroondah Planning Scheme under the Vegetation Protection Overlay will be given priority, however properties not identified under the scheme will be considered. Private properties must have one or more of the following attributes to be eligible for the program.
- A conservation covenant
- Identified site of biological significance
- Contribution to a wildlife or green corridor
- Registration with the Land for Wildlife program
- Property size should be approximately 2000m2 (1/2 acre) minimum to ensure its long-term biological viability
- There are three levels of rebate that will be granted in accordance with the eligibility and priority criteria. The highest concession will be offered to covenanted land.
The level of rebates are:
- Level 1 - 50% (up to a maximum of $1200)
- Level 2 - 35% (up to a maximum of $800)
- Level 3 - 25% (up to a maximum of $500)
The property owner will manage their property's biodiversity with assistance from a management plan. Monitoring will be undertaken using direct inspections and assessments.
There are presently 30 properties participating in the program. These properties are part of the following significant biological sites:
- Croydon Hills Environmental Living Zone;
- Dandenong Corridor Links;
- Richardson Road, Croydon;
For further information, interested property owners should contact Council
on 1300 88 22 33.
