What we do
Revolving fund
The revolving fund operates by:
- Assessing and purchasing land of significant conservation value.
- In most cases, negotiating a conservation agreement with the State to have the land declared a nature refuge.
- Selling the land once the significant conservation values are protected in perpetuity via the conservation agreement.
- Investing proceeds from the sale of the land to the revolving fund.
The Trust is not a long-term land manager. The Department of Environment and Resource Management manages the nature refuge program which provides assistance to owners of nature refuges, including Trust for Nature properties.
Conservation agreements
A conservation agreement is negotiated between the Trust and the Department of Environment and Resource Management representing the State. It specifies the outcomes required on a nature refuge to protect and enhance the significant natural and cultural resources. Activities that may be permitted on a nature refuge include grazing and ecotourism - provided that these activities can be managed appropriately to protect the conservation values of the land.
Nature refuges
A nature refuge is a class of protected area under Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld).
A nature refuge is to be managed to:
- conserve the area's significant cultural and natural resources; and
- provide for the controlled use of the area's cultural and natural resources; and
- provide for the interests of landholders to be taken into account.
A nature refuge can bind successive owners and guarantee protection of the land for future generations.
Landholder benefits
Nature refuge landholders may be eligible for reimbursement of land tax, as well as qualifying for other incentive programs. Nature refuge landholders become part of the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s nature refuge program and can obtain assistance from a network of nature refuge officers.
For details visit:
- Queensland Government – Department of Environment and Resource Management
- Australian Government – Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Government – Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Last updated: 30 June 2008