BACKGROUND

The Biodiversity Banking and Offsets Scheme (BioBanking) is a NSW Government scheme that allows businesses to 'offset' the negative impacts caused by development on the biodiversity values of any area.

Businesses or government agencies are able to buy 'biodiversity credits' to the same or greater value of the biodiversity lost as a result of a development. The biodiversity credits will be bought from landholders that have set up protected biodiversity areas, known as Biobanking sites.

The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has established a three year Aboriginal specific project which aims to encourage and support Aboriginal landowners to participate in BioBanking. This program is known as Land Alive.

NSWALC's position in response to BioBanking
NSWALC is the approving body for a Local Aboriginal Land Council to enter into a BioBanking Agreement pursuant to section 42G of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (ALRA).

NSWALC will continue to explore BioBanking within the context of a broader range of environmental and economically sustainable land use options on behalf of Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Pursuant to the NSWALC Corporate Plan, NSWALC will continue to develop, and strengthen existing Government partnerships.

NSWALC will continue to develop an effective working relationship with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) through the Land Alive Program.

NSWALC will ensure that there continues to be prudent management and development of Aboriginal land, including the promotion and understanding of all environmental initiatives and opportunities that are available to Aboriginal land owners throughout NSW.

NSWALC will provide information throughout the LALC network that is supported by evidence-based research which demonstrates a sustainable pathway for sound economic development, Aboriginal training and realistic employment outcomes.

NSWALC is committed to informing the Local Aboriginal Land Council Network of key findings and recommendations from all research and expert advice that it has obtained.

NSWALC intends to build individual Local Aboriginal Land Council capacity and awareness in order for those Land Councils to make informed decisions in relation to the most appropriate and suitable land use options, including BioBanking.

NSWALC encourages all Local Aboriginal Land Councils to critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of BioBanking prior to entering into a BioBanking Agreement. This is important as BioBanking Agreements are in perpetuity and may, amongst other things, prohibit a Local Aboriginal Land Council from using their land for other purposes.

NSWALC will continue to consult with the Local Aboriginal Land Council Network to obtain feedback on the resources required to raise awareness and build community capacity in relation to BioBanking.

NSWALC will also provide, where possible, information that will assist LALCs in informing their decisions of other sustainable land use options and opportunities available to them.

Guide to BioBanking for Aboriginal Landowners

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has developed a guide to the BioBanking Scheme for Aboriginal landowners. The guide includes:

• an overview of the BioBanking Scheme,
• discussion regarding how the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)  relates to BioBanking legislation,
• potential risks and benefits of the Scheme, and
• possible taxation implications of the Scheme and links to further resources and information.

The guide can be downloaded here. If you would like copies of the guide mailed to you please contact the Policy and Research Unit at NSWALC.

BioBanking and Development: A Guide for Local Aboriginal Land Councils

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has developed a guide to the BioBanking Scheme for Local Aboriginal Land Councils who wish to offset their development using the BioBanking Scheme. The guide includes: 

• an overview of the BioBanking Scheme and how to offset development using the BioBanking Scheme,
• potential risks and benefits of offsetting development using the Scheme,
• a summary of possible BioBanking offset costs, and
• links to further resources and information.

The guide can be downloaded here. If you would like copies of the guide mailed to you please contact the Policy and Research Unit at NSWALC.

Sustainable Land Uses Information Sheets

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has developed a toolkit for LALCs that covers topics relating to climate change and land use options in the emerging green economy and other matters related to sustainable land management.  The toolkit includes a series of 10 information sheets which aim to assist LALCs in making decisions regarding natural resource and environmentally sustainable land management options. The information sheets cover the following topics:

1)       Introduction: Sustainable options key
2)       Carbon emissions
3)       Hydropower
4)       Carbon sink forests
5)       Wind power
6)       Solar power
7)       Biofuels
8)       Conservation
9)       BioBanking
10)     Ecotourism

If you would like hardcopies of the toolkit, please contact the Policy and Research Unit on (02) 9689 4444 or policy@alc.org.au.

FEEDBACK WELCOME!

If you have any comments, feedback or questions about the guide, or would like more information about the BioBanking Scheme, please contact the NSWALC Policy and Research on 02 9689 4444 or  biobanking@alc.org.au.

This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.