Bestry's Mallee Project

Bestry's Mallee Project is a reforestation initiative located approximately 25 kilometers east of Perenjori in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Registered in July 2024, the project covers nearly 632 hectares of land situated within the Shire of Perenjori. This region is part of the northern wheatbelt, an area historically characterized by broadacre cropping and sheep grazing, though it often faces challenges related to dryland salinity and marginal rainfall.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM methodology. This method involves establishing permanent native vegetation, specifically mallee eucalypts and other local species, on land that has been clear of forest cover for at least five years. To be compliant, the plantings must be planted at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover, defined as having the potential to reach a height of at least two meters and a canopy cover of 20% across the project area.

Environmentally, the Perenjori region is classified as semi-arid, receiving low annual rainfall (typically around 300mm), which aligns with the methodology's requirement for mallee plantings to be situated in areas receiving less than 600mm of rain. The local terrain typically consists of deep red-brown sandy loams, red earths, and sandy clay soils, which are well-suited to the native mallee species being restored.

A significant aspect of this project is its development by Carbon Neutral Pty Ltd, suggesting it is likely a component of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. This massive restoration effort aims to create a 200km green corridor connecting inland reserves to the coast, helping to combat salinity and restore habitat for endangered species like Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo.