About our programmes
Healthy Waters Biodiversity Offset Bank programmes aim to:
- calculate how many credits a developer needs to meet offset requirements
- sell the credits to the developer
- contribute the income towards funding ecological enhancement projects in Auckland
- deliver the ecological project (when fully funded).
Who can use our programmes
Developers can use our programmes if they have already tried to avoid, remedy and mitigate the adverse environmental effects of their developments.
Landowners can suggest sites on their properties to be considered as potential projects for our Connect and Enhance programmes.
Why our programmes are needed
The resource consent process may require developers to provide "offsets" or compensation for their project if it has negative effects on a waterway.
It can be hard for developers to provide an offset on their own properties, particularly in urban areas.
This is where we come in. We have the technical expertise, a database of potential projects, and the knowledge to deliver offset projects.
How credits are calculated
A credit is calculated based on the relevant SEV (Stream Ecological Value) (PDF 5.6MB) for the proposed ecological enhancement project.
The number of credits is determined by a calculation of:
- the predicted increase in the SEV score
- the size of the stream bed.
Who provides the estimates
We provide the estimates.
However, as estimates are based on stream ecological values provided by the customer, it is the customer's responsibility to ensure the information is accurate.
How to request an estimate
To request a credit estimate, email hwcpt@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
How to purchase credits
If you are happy with the credit estimate provided, you can ask us to sell you the credits.
You can also ask for the credits to be reserved for 180 days (so they are not sold to another developer).
Terms and conditions apply.
For more information, email us at hwcpt@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Connect
Our Connect programme matches farmers and landowners with our certified suppliers.
The supplier will identify and design waterway planting projects focused on restoring and rehabilitating degraded waterways.
If the project meets our approval, we'll fund a supplier to deliver it.
Enhance
We deliver the Enhance projects.
Most projects are on council land and focus on restoring and rehabilitating degraded waterways.
Information for landowners and farmers
If your waterway needs help, our Connect programme may be able to deliver an ecological enhancement project at no cost to you.
We do this by:
- connecting you with one of our suppliers
- our suppliers assessing the waterway
- having the project submitted to us for consideration.
All Connect projects must achieve additional ecological benefits. This means that if you have a legal requirement to do something on your property, you won't be able to use Connect to fund it.
Landowners will be responsible for fencing and must agree to provide a covenant in favour of the council to permanently protect the project.
To get involved, contact us at hwcpt@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
