Cumberland Plain Contributions
The Department collects biodiversity contributions to fund the delivery of direct measures within the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.
More information on the biodiversity contributions for the plan, including a map of the contributions areas, is in the Housing and Productivity Contributions – Guide to the Ministerial Planning Order (PDF, 5.5 MB).
Strategic biodiversity component
The strategic biodiversity component for the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan started on 1 July 2024. It applies to new developments on land that has been biodiversity-certified as part of the CPCP under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
The CPCP strategic biodiversity component is based on recovering the full cost of delivering the plan's direct conservation measures and reflects the known acquisition costs for the new biodiversity stewardship agreements and reserves required under the plan's approval.
The Department consulted on the strategic biodiversity contribution’s introduction in August 2023 as part of consultation on the Housing and Productivity Contribution. A CPCP-specific Strategic Biodiversity Contributions – Feasibility Analysis (PDF, 1.2 MB) was also published at that time.
Area and types of development
A CPCP strategic biodiversity component is required for development consent granted within certified land for the purposes of residential development, commercial development and industrial development.
For more information, read the:
- Housing and Productivity Contributions Conditions of Development Consent 2025 (PDF, 75.6 KB)
- Housing and Productivity Contributions – Guide to the Ministerial Planning Order (PDF, 5.5 MB)
Biodiversity component rates
The CPCP strategic biodiversity component rates are:
| Class of development | SBC amount (per unit) | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Residential subdivision | $10,000 | New dwelling lot |
| Medium or high-density residential development | $10,000 | New dwelling |
| Commercial development | $60 | Square metre of new Gross Floor Area (GFA) |
| Industrial development | $30 | Square metre of new GFA |
Phasing-in the CPCP strategic biodiversity component
The CPCP strategic biodiversity component will be discounted in the first 2 years. The following discounts apply at the time payments are made:
| Year | Discount rate |
|---|---|
| First year (1 July 2024 – June 2025) | 50% |
| Second year (July 2025 – June 2026) | 25% |
Third year onwards (July 2026 +) *full contribution applies | 0% |
Land dedication
In limited circumstances, an alternative to paying a monetary contribution is to make an offer to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces (or a delegate) to dedicate land through an agreement.
Land dedication is not an appropriate or practical option for all land in the CPCP area. The Department has published the Land dedication criteria for the CPCP (PDF, 412 KB) to guide consideration of whether land offered for dedication is appropriate and practical to accept in lieu of making a monetary payment to satisfy the strategic biodiversity component of the Housing and Productivity Contribution. The factsheet was updated in December 2025 to clarify the criteria.
More information
Land dedication
Requests for land dedication can be sent to [email protected]
General enquiries
- phone 02 9585 6060
- email [email protected]
- for translation, phone 13 14 50 and ask for an interpreter in your language to connect you to 02 9585 6060. Then ask for the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan team.