EcoTender
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What is EcoTender?
EcoTender is an auction-based approach that expands BushTender to include multiple environmental outcomes. It introduced a more detailed way to evaluate tenders, based on potential improvements in salinity, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water quality.
Under EcoTender, landholders are invited to tender contracts to deliver these multiple environmental benefits, primarily by means of improved native vegetation management and revegetation works on their properties.
Successful bids include activities offering the best value for money to the community, based on ecosystem outcomes, the significance of the environmental assets affected by these changes and the cost. Successful landholders receive periodic payments as they deliver the management actions under contractual agreements with the DSE.
EcoTender process
Landholders start by registering their interest to participate in EcoTender. A DSE Field Officer will then come and visit their property to advise on the environmental significance of the site. They will work with the landholder to identify on-ground actions that could be included in a five-year EcoTender Management Plan.
The Field Officer will write up the management plan based on actions agreed with the landholder. The plan could include planting new native vegetation, weed control or protection of existing native vegetation along waterways, around wetlands, in gullies and paddocks.
The landholder uses this Management Plan as the basis for their EcoTender bid along with details on how much they expect to be paid to do the environmental work over five years.
Successful EcoTender bids are those showing best environmental value for money, with successful landholders receiving periodic payments for management activities conducted under agreements entered into with the DSE.
The following video describes what EcoTender is and how it works. (Flash media, 3 minutes 7 seconds)
Video Transcript:
What is EcoTender?
The Victorian Government’s EcoTender program is a world first that’s allowing landholders to receive payments for making environmental improvements to their land.
In November 2008, the Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, launched the second EcoTender demonstration project in the east of the Port Phillip–Western Port catchment.
Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment and Climate Change:
"… the value that biodiversity plays in making sure that our environment stays sustainable but our productive capacity is not diminished.”
What actions are encouraged?
Under EcoTender, landholders are paid to manage their land and water resources in ways that provide environmental improvements.
Actions include:
- weed and pest control
- fencing and planting of native vegetation
- protection of gullies and wetlands
- and stock control.
“There’s generally a complement between environmental services and productivity.
“For instance, when you put in shelter belts or revegetate your landscape, that provides protection from wind and cold for your stock, and at the same time weeds emerge.
“But we pay you to control those weeds.
“So it’s a win-win then.”
Board member of Bass Coast Landcare Network, Jon Hauser, explains how EcoTender fits with Landcare projects:
“The local Landcare network is really excited to be a part of this initiative.
“It’s providing us with a broader audience of farmers and landholders who can engage in these processes.”
EcoTender is underpinned by world-leading landscape scientific modelling, that applies new ideas in economics to environmental problems.
Chief economist, Gary Stoneham, explains these economic principles:
“EcoTender is a process that ensures we get good value for money from public funds by running an auction of conservation contracts.
“So landholders think about what actions they might be willing to undertake, they think about how much it would cost and what they need to be paid to complete those actions and they offer a bid.
“And then we look at those bids and the actions that arise from those activities, those contracts, and we identify those landholders than can provide environmental outcomes at low cost.”
The Port Phillip–Western Port EcoTender demonstration project is operating in the east of the catchment – including French Island, Phillip Island and eastern Western Port.
How can I find out more?
Landholders in that catchment can lodge an expression of interest to participate in EcoTender, by calling the Department of Sustainability and Environment on 136 186.
Or you can contact DSE via email from the EcoTender website.
A Field Officer will then visit your property to discuss how EcoTender could work for you!
For more information on EcoTender, call the Department of Sustainability and Environment on 136 186 or visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/EcoTender