Working Together – Climate, Nature and the Wirlomin.

William Poole's farm is a vital part of the wider Gonwamalang program, where habitats are being restored and reconnected across a thousand kilometres of southwestern Australia. This 1,200 hectare property had been owned by the Layton family since the 1960s, most recently by Sylvia and her partner Peter. As land carers, they were seeking new custodians for the farm and it's 180 hectares of bushland. We're just so lucky to have the Wollemi, Gondwamalang, Carbon Neutral and the Wollemin all just sort of line up at the right time. The following year, Transition Accelerator joined this partnership to strengthen the project. Possibly the most exciting and innovative part of the partnership is using the carbon project to fund the transfer of the land back into the ownership of Willemin and I guess their traditional ownership. I think it's just great that we've been given the opportunity, which we'd never have outside the native title process, which doesn't give you full ownership or freehold title and all your own self-determination on the lands. In this establishment phase, Wollemin Pools Farm is co-managed by Willemin, Gondwamalang and Carbon Neutral. 115 hectares have been seeded with local species for biodiversity restoration. These strengthen the opportunities for wildlife to flourish and move across the landscape. Other plantings are more focused on carbon storage. Across 2024 and 2025, 300 hectares of Tasmanian Blue Gums were planted and are growing strongly. To complete the carbon plantings, 260 hectares of Sydney Blue Gums were widely spaced so the trees can mature into quality soil logs and help reduce pressure on native forests. Other benefits are also being achieved on Blue Gum Pools. For me and my family, it was like a godsender. It's given our family an opportunity to go back to country. To me, that was a blessing, you know, and with the opportunity you guys give us, I mean, I'm just so stoked. And I think the way that those three factors, environment, the carbon and the people, all coming together, that communion of those three elements is a key factor in it. Blue Gum Pools is part of a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, which means this country is not only exceptionally diverse, it has also suffered serious damage. The efforts here are helping to strengthen biodiversity. Even Malifaux, which are both endangered and culturally significant, are returning to the property and building their massive nest. At William Pools, we are already delivering real benefits and creating new opportunities.