Environmental Offsets in agricultural land

Question

Please provide the following information in relation to environmental offsets: 1. Are any safeguards in place to ensure offsets are not directed to highly productive agricultural land? 2. Does DCCEEW monitor, or intend to monitor, the area of agricultural land used for environmental offsets, including highly productive agricultural land? 3. Will any standard form contract, guidance, or minimum contract terms be provided for agreements between offset purchasers and landholders? If yes, please identify that material. 4. How does DCCEEW propose that whole-of-life costs be taken into account for offset arrangements that may continue for up to 20 years or until the offset outcome becomes self-sustaining? 5. AgForce made a submission to the earlier consultation process on the offset standard. How many of AgForce's recommendations were reflected in the exposure draft released for public consultation? 6. Does DCCEEW treat agriculture as a key delivery partner for offsets? 7. Has DCCEEW consulted, or does it intend to consult, with agricultural industry bodies in relation to their recommendations and concerns on offsets?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000601.pdf (opens in a new tab)