Devon Park Biodiversity and Carbon Project

The Devon Park Biodiversity and Carbon Project is an environmental planting project located approximately 11km south of Dunkeld in the Western District of Victoria. Registered in May 2022, the project covers 177.30 hectares of what is historically a significant grazing property. The project sits on the volcanic plains near the southern tip of the Grampians National Park, an area renowned for its fertile soils and picturesque landscape.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings methodology, which involves establishing permanent native forests on land that was previously cleared for agriculture. To meet the requirements of this methodology, the proponent must plant species native to the local area at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover, typically at least 200 stems per hectare. In this specific project, the activities focus on establishing a mix of native tree and shrub species that reflect the structure and composition of the local vegetation community, enhancing biodiversity alongside carbon sequestration.

The Dunkeld region is characterised by a cool temperate climate with reliable high rainfall, supporting intensive agriculture. The soil in this specific location is described as rich volcanic plain (basalt and clay), which is highly productive for the cattle and sheep grazing operations that dominate the area.

This project is associated with Dunkeld Pastoral Company, owned by prominent barrister and businessman Allan Myers, who acquired a significant portion of the historic "Devon Park" property in 2020. The property itself has a long history, dating back to the mid-19th century when it was held by the wealthy Clarke family. The carbon project appears to be part of a broader conservation and land management strategy by Dunkeld Pastoral Company, which integrates agricultural production with biodiversity improvements like creek line revegetation.