Free trees for conservation carers


Are you a rural landowner who loves your local environment and wishes to preserve its future? Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa and District Landcare can help you get started.

Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said 200 free trees were being offered to local landholders who enter into a Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) with council.

“The Voluntary Conservation Agreement program is a higher level protective mechanism that supports private landholders by conserving the bushland on their properties in perpetuity by registering a covenant on title over some or all of the property,” she said.

“The program can also partner with landowners who have an existing Nature Refuge (under the Qld Government Nature Conservation Act) on their property.

“Fifteen new Voluntary Conservation Agreement partnerships with private landowners have been achieved this year. This brings the region’s total to 69 properties, protecting 925 hectares of bushland across the Sunshine Coast.

“As a special incentive, the next 10 eligible rural landowners who enter into a VCA will be rewarded with 200 free trees courtesy of the Noosa and District Landcare Group.”

Voluntary Conservation Agreements support landowners through provision of financial contributions towards on-ground management costs and rate refunds; an environmental management plan developed for the property; free ongoing property management information and attendance at local field days and workshops.

Eligible properties for a Voluntary Conservation Agreement include those that have:

  • Areas of high conservation status bushland
  • Threatened or significant plants and animals present
  • Environmental significance due to features such as habitat connectivity and water quality protection.

For more information about council’s Voluntary Conservation Agreement program visit council’s website. To apply for a VCA contact council’s service contact centre on (07) 5475 7272.