Whether you have created a conservation covenant or inherited one when you bought your property, they are a big commitment. It is easy to sometimes wonder whether it is worth all the effort. But don’t be fooled into complacency - conservation covenants protect precious features of our District - this makes you a guardian of Franklin. This is why Council and the community take it very seriously when you don’t fulfil your responsibility as an owner of covenanted land.

Your Responsibilities

Understanding your role and responsibilities in maintaining and protecting your conservation covenant is vital - especially if you are considering creating one or buying a property with one. You need to ensure that you can provide time and the resources needed. As the owner of an area of covenanted land, you are responsible for its management.

However - it’s not all hard work! Those who have put the required work in have an amazing sense of satisfaction -
after all they are leaving the District and future generations a precious gift. It is rewarding work.

Landowner responsibilities usually include:

• Eradicating feral cats, rabbits, pigs, deer, goats and possums
• Eradicating noxious weeds, exotics and environmental plant pests 
• Maintaining secure perimeter fencing around the covenanted area 
• Providing a suitable habitat for bird life 
• Encouraging plants that are a food source to bird life 
• Encouraging the natural regeneration of native vegetation

Restrictions on what you can do with a conservation covenant on your property

You are responsible for ensuring the following does not occur in the conservation area without Council’s prior written consent:

• Any domestic cats, dogs or grazing animals entering 
• Any building structure or hoarding 
• Any excavation 
• The pumping of any groundwater 
• The planting or sowing of any exotic species 
• The felling or removal of any exotic species 
• The felling or removal of any indigenous tree or plant 
• The entry by the general public 
• The accumulation of rubbish or other unsightly or offensive material