- Published on
Strategic land purchases such as the Holden Proving Ground would be possible with a
dedicated environment fund.
By Catherine Watson
BASS Coast Council is going into the property business – but the aim is not to make a profit.
The council proposes to set up a charity to administer its Environment Fund in partnership with Biodiversity Legacy, a not-for-profit organisation with expertise in creating community stewarded biolinks.
The aim is to leverage partnerships, donations and green investment markets to preserve biodiversity and fund strategic land purchases across the shire, bringing “inspiration and a sense of collective action”.
BASS Coast Council is going into the property business – but the aim is not to make a profit.
The council proposes to set up a charity to administer its Environment Fund in partnership with Biodiversity Legacy, a not-for-profit organisation with expertise in creating community stewarded biolinks.
The aim is to leverage partnerships, donations and green investment markets to preserve biodiversity and fund strategic land purchases across the shire, bringing “inspiration and a sense of collective action”.
The legal structure, at a remove from the council, will enable the not-for-profit company to achieve charity status, attract philanthropic funding and be eligible for tax-deductible donations, bequests and grant funding.
Biodiversity Legacy and the council would have an equal number of board members on the new company.
According to a council officer’s report that will be considered at next week’s meeting, the council is in a unique position to connect organisations, businesses and investors. This in turn would create social, environmental and economic benefits through the fund.
“By taking an active role in southeast Victoria's nature markets, Bass Coast Shire can become known as a hub for innovation in this field. Strategically located at the intersection of Western Port and West Gippsland catchments, Bass Coast is well-placed to access Melbourne nature markets along with Gippsland organisations and local governments.”
According to the report, Biodiversity Legacy brings expertise in creating not-for-profit entities that safeguard properties with natural assets in perpetuity.
“They will assist in setting up this entity, offering legal advice, governance templates, and connections to environmental and philanthropic organisations.
“They also offer valuable support in the form of governance models, agreements, stewardship, and constitutional templates, ensuring the new entity is established cost-effectively and efficiently.
Biodiversity Legacy and the council would have an equal number of board members on the new company.
According to a council officer’s report that will be considered at next week’s meeting, the council is in a unique position to connect organisations, businesses and investors. This in turn would create social, environmental and economic benefits through the fund.
“By taking an active role in southeast Victoria's nature markets, Bass Coast Shire can become known as a hub for innovation in this field. Strategically located at the intersection of Western Port and West Gippsland catchments, Bass Coast is well-placed to access Melbourne nature markets along with Gippsland organisations and local governments.”
According to the report, Biodiversity Legacy brings expertise in creating not-for-profit entities that safeguard properties with natural assets in perpetuity.
“They will assist in setting up this entity, offering legal advice, governance templates, and connections to environmental and philanthropic organisations.
“They also offer valuable support in the form of governance models, agreements, stewardship, and constitutional templates, ensuring the new entity is established cost-effectively and efficiently.
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Sounds as if this is one way to harness communities and organisations to work effectively together and make things happen.
Well done Council!
Thank you, Bass Coast Shire Council for your initiative.
Thank you too to all those who not only appreciate our natural environment but are concerned enough to do something to try to protect it. The more of us who do so, the more likely it is that future generations can enjoy the amenity and beauty it provides but also have a planet that is healthy enough for the continuation not just of our flora and fauna but also of our own species.