Bonnie Doon land restoration project

Bonnie Doon land restoration project is an environmental planting project located on Dry Creek Road in Bonnie Doon, approximately 20km west of Mansfield in Victoria. It was registered in November 2023 and covers an area of 32.66 hectares. The Mansfield and Bonnie Doon region is known for its undulating landscapes and agricultural activities, predominantly sheep and cattle grazing. The area generally experiences a temperate climate with moderate to high rainfall, featuring soils that range from shallow stony loams on the steep ridges to clay loams on the lower slopes.

Environmental planting projects under this methodology involve establishing a permanent cover of mixed native tree species on land that was predominantly used for agricultural purposes for at least five years prior. These standard requirements dictate that plantings must be established at a sufficient density to eventually reach forest cover, which typically means achieving at least 20% crown cover and a minimum height of two meters.

The project is taking place on steep, rolling hills that were formerly heavily grazed. Proponent Lachlan Cook established the project as a dual-purpose model for both carbon yield and biodiversity restoration, planting approximately 15,000 native trees on the property. The plantings have been specifically tailored across three ecological vegetation classes, featuring native species such as Yellow Box and White Box. A key objective of this specific restoration is to support local native fauna, particularly aiming to provide habitat for the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. Furthermore, the project was recently showcased as a prominent example of private land conservation under the Victorian Government's BushBank program, delivered by Cassinia Environmental.