Mike Walter Oil Mallee Project

The Mike Walter Oil Mallee Project is a farm forestry initiative located near the town of Kalannie, approximately 50km east of Dalwallinu in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Registered in April 2021, the project covers 296.34 hectares of land previously used for agricultural purposes such as grazing and cropping.

This project operates under the "Measurement Based Methods for New Farm Forestry Plantations" methodology. Unlike standard environmental planting projects which often prohibit harvest, this method allows for the commercial harvesting of timber or biomass. In this specific instance, the project establishes plantations of Eucalyptus kochii (Oil Mallee). These trees are cultivated for their high concentration of eucalyptus oil and are typically harvested by cutting them at the base to encourage "coppice" regrowth, a process where the tree regenerates vigorously from the stump, allowing for repeated harvest cycles while maintaining a permanent root system for carbon sequestration.

The Kalannie region is characterized by a semi-arid, Mediterranean-style climate with low annual rainfall, typically averaging between 300mm and 350mm. The local terrain generally consists of flat to gently undulating sandplains, with soil types predominantly composed of sandy loams and acidic duplex soils (sand over clay). The proponent, Fasera Estates, is a notable player in the "Oil Mallee" industry, utilizing the biomass from these projects not only for carbon credits but also to produce eucalyptus oil, biochar, and wood vinegar, creating an integrated system that targets both carbon abatement and agricultural products.