Introduction

Victoria’s diverse landscapes offer a wonderful variety of lifestyle opportunities, including the growing market for people seeking ‘lifestyle’ properties in rural areas.

Many landholders have an interest in the environmental values of their properties, but in some cases have been unaware of the environmental management incentives and organisations which can assist them.

Properties that are marketed to include their environmental values have the potential to return a greater sale price, as there is a growing market for land with these values.

This manual will assist you to:

• Identify whether a property has certain environmental values, and assist you to describe them.
• Identify avenues for marketing land with significant conservation value.
• Advise vendors and purchasers on how to access land management advice, and government-funded incentive schemes for environmental works (see www.conservationbroker.net.au).
• Provide advice to clients on the opportunities and constraints for development, as set out in the local Shire Planning Scheme.
• Generate return clients and enhance your agencies reputation, by providing an informative selling process.