Gidgegannup biodiverse planting: a Biologic Carbon project

Gidgegannup biodiverse planting: a Biologic Carbon project is an environmental planting project located in Gidgegannup, approximately 45km northeast of the Perth CBD in Western Australia. Registered in July 2022, the project covers 56.35 hectares of land within the City of Swan. The Gidgegannup region is situated in the Perth Hills (Darling Scarp) and is characterized by a mix of rural-residential lifestyle blocks, nature reserves, and small-scale agriculture, primarily grazing and hobby farming.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings methodology (FullCAM). This method requires the establishment of permanent plantings using species native to the local area on land that was previously cleared for agricultural use for at least five years. Unlike commercial forestry, the primary goal is to establish permanent vegetation cover (carbon sinks) that also provides biodiversity benefits. The "mixed-species" aspect of this project indicates a focus on restoring a natural ecosystem rather than a monoculture plantation.

Environmentally, the region experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Rainfall is relatively high for Western Australia, averaging around 800mm to 900mm annually, which supports the Jarrah-Marri forest ecosystems typical of the area. The soils are generally lateritic, consisting of gravelly sandy loams and ironstone, which are well-suited to the native flora of the Darling Range.

A notable aspect of this project is its participants. The project is managed by "Biologic Nature and Community Pty Ltd" (formerly registered as Biologic Carbon Pty Ltd), suggesting a corporate focus on dual-benefit carbon projects that prioritize nature and community outcomes. The proponent, "GG Restoration Trust," and the registration date of mid-2022 are significant in the local context; Gidgegannup was the epicenter of the devastating Wooroloo bushfire in February 2021. While the project description cites agricultural land conversion, the "Restoration" branding implies a strong link to landscape recovery and resilience efforts following the fire events.