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 – Works-in-Kind Guideline (PDF, 2.9 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 |
Land dedication and retirement of biodiversity credits
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 or retire biodiversity credits.
Land dedication is not an appropriate or practical option for all land in the CPCP area, and not all biodiversity credits are suitable for the Government’s use. All offers for land dedication and biodiversity credits are at the discretion of the Minister. The Department has published the Strategic Biodiversity Component In-Kind Guideline – Land dedication and retirement of biodiversity credits (PDF, 2.6 MB) which outlines the types of land that may be offered for dedication, and which biodiversity credits are appropriate and practical to consider in lieu of making a monetary payment to satisfy the strategic biodiversity component of the Housing and Productivity Contribution.
Land dedication and retirement of biodiversity credits applies to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan area. Only land dedication applies in the Growth Centre Program area (the North West and South West growth areas) in Western Sydney.
More information
CPCP Land dedication and retirement of biodiversity credits
Enquiries and requests for land dedication or retirement of biodiversity credits for the CPCP 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.
Growth Centres Program Land dedication
For more information visit the Growth Centres Program.