'Biala Biodiversity Project

Biala Biodiversity Project is an environmental planting project located near Biala, approximately 15km southwest of Crookwell and 50km from Goulburn in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. It was registered in July 2026, though the exact project area size is not currently specified on the public register.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) methodology. Environmental planting projects involve establishing and maintaining permanent plantings of a mix of native tree and shrub species that are endemic to the local area. To meet standard methodology requirements, these plantings are typically established at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover, which generally means at least 200 stems per hectare with the potential to reach a minimum height of two metres and a crown cover of at least 20%.

The surrounding Southern Tablelands region is characterised by undulating terrain and is widely known for mixed farming, particularly sheep and cattle grazing, as well as renewable energy developments such as the Biala Wind Farm. The area generally experiences a temperate climate with moderate, reliable year-round rainfall. Soils in the Crookwell and Biala region frequently consist of Chromosols and Dermosols (duplex soils), which are highly suitable for supporting both productive agricultural pastures and the native vegetation communities targeted by this project.

This project establishes permanent plantings with a species mix carefully chosen to reflect the structure and composition of the local native vegetation community. It is spearheaded by proponent Vincent Gregory Heffernan in partnership with Regen Farmers Mutual Limited, an organisation that assists farmers in accessing environmental markets. The Heffernan family has a deep historical connection to farming in the Biala and Gurrundah district, with historical records noting their long-standing operation of local grazing properties known for high-quality sheep and cattle. This project represents a modern integration of carbon farming and biodiversity restoration into traditional agricultural landscapes.