Land tax dropped on conservation lands

19/5/04
The State Government has introduced a further incentive to encourage private landowners to manage parts of their properties for nature conservation.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said legislation had been introduced into Parliament to remove the land tax liability for those areas of private land that were protected and managed for nature conservation under eligible conservation covenanting programs.
"The Government is pleased with this breakthrough as conservation and land care groups have been campaigning for years to have the tax removed," Dr Edwards said.
Conservation covenants are a legal mechanism to protect land and prevent activities that will reduce their conservation value. The land remains in private ownership, but the covenant gives landowners the security of knowing that the land will be protected after they pass on ownership.
"Tax on land covered by these covenants can be a disincentive for people who otherwise would like to manage parts of their properties for the natural biodiversity values," the Minister said.
Dr Edwards said the move was in line with commitments made under the Labor Party's Environment Policy in the lead-up to the 2001 election. It also was consistent with the Government's response to the State Salinity Taskforce report in 2002, the State Sustainability Strategy, and the National Objectives and Targets for Biodiversity Conservation 2001-2005, to which the State was a signatory.
"Owners of land covered by conservation covenants administered by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA) will be eligible for the land tax exemption," the Minister said.
"This is because these covenants are primarily for lands of high nature conservation value, and involve 'stewardship' of the land for ensuring appropriate management into the future.
"People who have entered into 'conservation zones' through local government town planning schemes need not miss out, as they only need to enter into a covenant to be exempt from the tax.
"The important aspect is that the State Government has provided an incentive for people to set aside parts of their properties and manage those areas for conservation. In effect, it will help create a myriad of 'mini' private nature reserves across the landscape that will complement the formal conservation reserve network."
Minister's office: 9220 5050