Voluntary Conservation Agreements
A Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) is your opportunity to protect the natural features of your land. It's a partnership between you and City of Moreton Bay that places a conservation covenant on part of your property.
This covenant stays with the land title, ensuring it's protected for generations to come, regardless of ownership.
Entering an agreement
When a landholder puts a Voluntary Conservation Covenant on their property, they agree to follow certain conditions, and so do any future owners. The covenant sets out rules about how the land can be used and what needs to be protected.
The covenant is added to the land title, which means it stays with the property even if it's sold. Whereas the VCA is an agreement between the current landholder and Council. It explains how Council will support the landholder to help meet conservation goals.
Entering a VCA is free and completely voluntary. You continue to own the land and can use the land excluded from the covenant area for grazing, orchards, or other uses.
You'll also receive support from Council and enjoy a range of benefits, including:
- financial incentives and annual funding
- expert advice
- custom-made property plans
- security for your conservation efforts.
We cover the cost of surveying and setting up the agreement.
Eligibility for an agreement
To be eligible to apply for a VCA, the property must have significant conservation values within the landscape and be of adequate size. Properties already part of the Land for Wildlife program for at least 12 months are eligible to apply.
By protecting native bushland on private land, you’re helping:
- support rare and threatened species
- preserve vital wildlife corridors between conservation areas
- safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
Incentives and rate rebates
In recognition of the important role private conservation plays, Council offers incentives and rate rebates for VCA holders.
The first column describes the incentive. The second column states when the incentive is available for VCA recipients. The third column is how much VCA recipients receive.
| Incentive |
Year available |
Amount received |
| Weed management: start-up assistance |
Year 1 following the signed agreement |
$1,000 |
| Management assistance |
Years 2 to 5 following the signed agreement |
$750 per annum (or equivalent in plants) |
| Workshops |
Annually |
Attendance at targeted workshops is free of charge |
| Grant assistance |
Annually, a merit-based process |
$2,500 cap |
The first column states the area size of the VCA covenant. The second column is how much of a rate rebate the VCA recipient receives.
| Area of the VCA covenant |
Rate rebate (whichever value is lesser) |
| Less than 5 hectares |
50% of the general rebate or $400 per annum |
| 5 hectares to 10 hectares |
50% of the general rebate or $650 per annum |
| 10 hectares to 20 hectares |
50% of the general rebate or $1,000 per annum |
| 20 hectares to 50 hectares |
50% of the general rebate or $1,500 per annum |
| Greater than 50 hectares |
50% of the general rebate or $2,000 per annum |
How to apply
For more information or to see if your property is eligible, contact a Conservation Partnerships Officer by emailing esmailbox@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.