Afforestation Grant Scheme
About the Afforestation Grant Scheme
The Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS) is a new initiative first flagged in the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action discussion document released in December 2006.
The AGS offers an alternative to the proposed New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as a way to encourage greater levels of greenhouse gas absorption by increasing the area of Kyoto-compliant new forest in New Zealand.
Under the AGS, landowners can receive a government grant for establishing new forests on Kyoto- compliant land (that is, land that was not forested as at 31 December 1989). Grant recipients own the new forests and earn income from the timber, while the Crown retains the carbon credits (and liabilities) generated during the 10-year period of the grant agreement.
Another objective of the AGS is to establish this new Kyoto-compliant forest in areas where it will help reduce the likely impacts of climate change and generate other environmental benefits, such as reduced erosion, nutrient leaching and flood peaks and improved indigenous biodiversity.
There are two pools of funding under the Afforestation Grant Scheme. Auckland Council is one of 10 regional councils and unitary authorities administering the Regional Council Pool within their region. The Public Pool is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The information provided here relates to the Regional Council Pool (click for more information).
The following information provides answers to some the initial questions you might have about the Afforestation Grant Scheme. For detailed information about the scheme please read the attached Afforestation Grant Scheme Guidelines - Regional Council Pool.
Who can apply?
Provided that certain land eligibility criteria are met, individuals, business entities and local government in the Auckland region may apply to Auckland Council for an AGS grant provided they own the land, or have the right to use the land for forestry.
What land is eligible for a grant?
Land eligible for a grant must be land that:
- was not forest land on 31 December 1989; or
- was forest land on 31 December 1989 but;
- was deforested between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2007; or
- was deforested on or after 1 January 2008; and in respect of which any liability to surrender units arising to the Crown under the Kyoto Protocol have been satisfied.
The definition of forest land is provided in the attached guidelines.
Auckland Council will, as required, carry out an inspection to confirm that the land is eligible to receive a grant.
What land is not eligible for a grant?
Significant Natural Areas (SNAs), Sites of Special Wildlife Interest (SSWIs) and Recommended Areas for Protection (RAPs) are not eligible for an afforestation grant, except for indigenous afforestation applications that will enhance the protected area.
The AGS will not be available for land that has entered into the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative or the East Coast Forestry Project (ECFP). Land owned or administered by central government agencies is ineligible.
Any area of ineligible land within an application area must be identified in the application.
What is the minimum application size?
The minimum application size is 5 hectares. This area may consist of multiple areas of at least 1 hectare.
Shelter belts or riparian strips less than 30 metres wide (canopy-edge to canopy-edge) are not eligible. However afforestation on both sides of a waterway can be assessed as one riparian strip with the width of the waterway excluded from the width measurement.
What is the closing date for applications?
There are two funding rounds per year. In 2011 the closing dates are:
Round one: 18 March
Round two: 18 October
How do I/we apply?
- Read the attached Afforestation Grant Scheme Guidelines for full details of the Scheme.
- If you wish to apply contact Auckland Council at afforestationgrants@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
- Complete the attached Afforestation Grant Scheme Application Form.
- Send your application to Auckland Council before the closing date.
Further information
If you have questions regarding the scheme contact:
Afforestation Grant Scheme
email: afforestationgrants@arc.govt.nz
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