An Environmental Benefit Lot (EBL) is an entitlement to subdivide which is awarded by the Council for providing an environmental benefit to the District.  The environmental benefit can be for providing land for a public cycleway or reserve, land for a biodiversity corridor, for a fence/maintenance track or easement relating to Maungatautari Ecological Island (MEI), or for the restoration, fencing and ongoing protection of an ecologically significant area. 

The MEI entitlements are predetermined in Appendix O2 of the District Plan. One lot can be created on the land and the remainder are required to be transferred out as Transferable Development Rights.  Any EBLs awarded for providing land for public use would need to be negotiated with Council on a case-by-case basis.  

The EBLs awarded for the restoration, fencing and ongoing protection of an ecologically significant area are determined on a case-by-case basis with the help of Ecologists. 

How do I get EBLs?
To determine if the wetland, peatlake, Significant Natural Area (SNA) or bush remnant on your property is significant enough for the Council to award EBL entitlements, contact Cogswell for assistance with this process and to determine eligibility to utilise entitlements on your land.