{
  "id": 16225638,
  "title": "Biodiversity offset scheme 'an enormous thing' for landowners to consider",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/biodiversity-offset-scheme-an-enormous-thing-for-landowners-to",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-23T20:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-24/nsw-government-new-biodiversity-offset-approach-protects-habitat/107260482"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The NSW government has established biodiversity agreements covering over 15,000 hectares of land in Central West New South Wales to compensate for 1,200 hectares affected by the construction of new power lines. This marks the first implementation of the government's new strategy, ensuring environmental damage is mitigated within the affected region. The approach is being extended to other renewable energy projects across the state.\n\nOne landowner, Peter Barton, sold a 480-hectare portion of his Western New South Wales property to the government to help offset environmental damage caused by construction within the Central West Orana renewable energy zone (REZ). Barton's decision was influenced by a requirement that the land remain in its natural state indefinitely. The property, located north-west of Mudgee, is part of the region being transformed by the development of wind and solar infrastructure to connect to the state's electricity grid.\n\nBarton expressed concern over the \"industrialisation\" of his area, citing the height of wind turbines and their impact on the land. He lamented that if he were responsible for the turbines, he would have moved away. The land Barton sold was deemed valuable due to its endangered plant communities and potential habitat for threatened animals, including the critically endangered regent honeyeater.\n\nUnder the new biodiversity strategy, the NSW government allocated $140 million to secure properties within the same ecological region as the Central West Orana REZ. These properties are purchased to offset 1,200 hectares impacted by new transmission lines. Landowners face significant responsibilities, including managing weeds, pests, and wildlife, supported by annual payments. Barton anticipates the regent honeyeater may return to the property, a goal he hopes to see before his passing.\n\nThe NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water has negotiated agreements for approximately 6,000 hectares, with another 8,000 hectares under negotiation. The government argues that this strategy represents a larger-scale protection and restoration of habitats compared to previous piecemeal approaches. Previously, biodiversity offsets could be obtained from any region, but the new strategy emphasizes regional specificity, with funding flowing to landholders to compensate them for habitat protection and restoration efforts.",
  "summary": "Peter Barton took years pondering whether to sign over a block of his western NSW property to a conservation agreement, but did it for his grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.",
  "key_points": [
    "NSW government establishes 15,000+ hectare biodiversity agreements in Central West NSW",
    "Landowner Peter Barton sells 480-hectare property for environmental offset",
    "$140 million allocated for habitat protection and restoration in region"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}