Appeal for rating to reward biodiversity enhancements

Biodiversity projects’ benefits are shared by everyone, but the costs are paid by landowners, Otokia Creek and Marsh Habitat Trust treasurer Viktoria Kahui says.

Dr Kahui, who is also an environmental economist at the University of Otago, asked the Otago Regional Council to consider some form of targeted rating system that offered a financial incentive to landowners who took on projects that enhanced biodiversity on their land.

The trust said higher targeted rates for any agriculture, urban development or land uses that worked against native habitat restoration was a more appropriate approach to adopt.

Landowners with higher levels of biodiversity provided benefits including carbon sequestration, flood protection, freshwater quality and wildlife habitat, she said.

Mapping of vegetation and land cover was already available and could be used as a starting point, she suggested.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz