Manning Hill Reforestration

Manning Hill Reforestration is an environmental planting project located in the locality of Bunyah, approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Bulahdelah in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. It was registered in May 2023 and covers 102.68 hectares within a larger 232-hectare property held by the Tamplin Family.

Environmental planting projects operate under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) methodology, which involves establishing permanent native forest cover on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years and previously used for agriculture. While standard requirements often mandate a stocking density sufficient to achieve forest cover, typically a minimum of 200 stems per hectare, this specific project has targeted a higher density of approximately 500 stems per hectare, using tubestock grown from locally sourced seed to ensure resilience and ecological suitability.

The Bunyah area in the Hunter and Mid-Coast hinterlands is historically characterized by timber harvesting and beef cattle grazing, set amongst rolling hills and river valleys. The region falls into a high-rainfall zone, typically exceeding 1,000mm annually, which supports rapid vegetation growth. The soils in this environment are often clay-loam based and prone to erosion on steeper slopes.

This project has attracted attention and $164,866 in funding through the NSW Government's "Living Carbon" grant program. This funding was awarded for its significant biodiversity co-benefits, specifically to restore critical habitat for the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, and Squirrel Glider by connecting riparian zones with upper slopes. Notable native species planted on the site include Slatey Red Gum (Eucalyptus glaucina) and Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens). Over its lifetime, the project is expected to deliver 50,000 tonnes of CO2-e abatement. Additionally, the property has registered an environmental account with Accounting for Nature (Account ID: AU00087) to monitor and certify its ecological progress. The project proponent is Tamplin Family Holdings Pty Ltd as Trustee for Tamplin Family Trust, following a formal participant name variation updated in January 2025.