Meander Valley Council has joined a number of Tasmanian councils in scrapping a rates rebate for private conservation land.
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The conservation covenant was brought in by the state government in 2002 to recognise private landholders contributing to the state's conservation.
However, Tasmania Land Conservancy chief executive James Hattam said it was disappointing the council had removed the rebate.
"It's not a huge amount of money. The rate rebates aren't that massive. But I guess it's just a small recognition that land holders make an incredible contribution for the state's conversation," he said.
The rebate costs Meander Valley ratepayers about $12,500 each year.
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Meander Valley mayor Wayne Johnston said about 70 properties got the annual rebate.
"The question had been put to the councillors of what is the community value of that," he said.
"The feeling was that the people who had conservation covenants on their land were getting an advantage on top of other ratepayers. Other ratepayers were actually subsidising them to look after their land."
About 17 of Tasmania's 29 councils offer the rebate.
A number of affected land holders made representations against the recommendation at Tuesday's council meeting.
Mr Hattam said land owners with the covenant do an incredible job.
"Managing their properties not just for their own benefit, but for the benefit of the state, recognising them and all their dedications to conservation is a really important one," he said.
"We're disappointed to see that be removed for the conservation land holders in the that municipality."
The rates rebate for the Meander Valley Council municipality will end in July 2020.
The council will redirect the money it will save into a feral cat eradication program which is already underway, Mr Johnston said.
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Journalist at The Examiner Newspaper
Journalist at The Examiner Newspaper
