Growing on Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, this project will restore biodiversity to a property previously cleared for farming. By planting locally native trees and plants, we will extend habitat for wildlife, including some endangered species. As the forest grows, it will also deliver significant climate action by removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Location & Map

Three Chain Road is located just outside of Kyneton, about an hour northwest of Melbourne. Adjacent to the Cobaw State Forest, this project will extend potential habitat for local fauna, including koalas and endangered brush-tailed phascogales.

This property forms part of the Victorian Government's Bushbank Program. We are working closely with Cassinia Environmental to deliver biodiversity restoration on behalf of our supporters.

SEE WHERE MANY OF OUR FORESTS ARE GROWING ACROSS AUSTRALIA HERE
Aerial view of a rural landscape with fields, trees, and distant hills.

Partnering To Restore Biodiversity

The landholder at Three Chain Road has restored some sections of the property themselves and in 2025 they partnered with Greenfleet and Cassinia Environmental to complete the planting process.

Through this project, we will restore the Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) of Herb-rich Foothill Forest in the southern parts of the property and Swampy Riparian Woodland in the north.

There is remnant vegetation that represents these ecosystems with species like messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua), narrow-leaved peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata), silver wattles (Acacia dealbata) and silver banksias (Banksia marginata) already growing on the property. Greenfleet has included such species in our revegetation approach to bolster the EVCs and ensure the ecosystems can thrive into the future.

White plastic container with green plants on a dry, brown ground

This property contains a shallow valley which floods in the winter months. Here, species planted include swamp gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) which respond well to the damp, lowland environment and restore the EVC swampy riparian woodland. As it grows, the manna gum will also provide habitat for koalas and other native fauna.

In total, 17 different native species were seeded and planted, with the seedlings being protected with guards to shield against extreme weather and browsing animals. These guards are plastic-free, biodegradable and are manufactured from 100% recycled paperboard.

Aerial view of a rural landscape with fields, trees, and a building.

Wildlife Habitat Restoration

This forest will grow to provide habitat for the local koalas, wombats, echidnas and many other native wildlife.

Several species of iconic birds also call the region around Cobaw State Forest home, including sulphur-crested cockatoos, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and the endangered gang-gang cockatoo. By planting native species like silver banksia (Banksia marginata) that provide seeds and attract insects, we are growing food habitat for these noisy, colourful birds.

Once established, this project will provide potential habitat for threatened species such as the brush-tailed phascogale which prefers to breed in the tree hollows of eucalypts. These hollows can take up to 100 years to form in a tree, so legal protection is vital. The tall trees may also provide homes for known populations of the threatened powerful owl, squirrel gliders and mountain brush-tailed possums.

Learn more about Greenfleet’s 100 Year Protection

Greenfleet’s Revegetation team undertakes ongoing regular monitoring to ensure each of our projects has the best chance of survival. We combine onsite assessments, with drone and satellite monitoring to comprehensively understand how the project is progressing.

Climate Action 

The forest growing at Three Chain Road is legally protected for 100 years. Over that time, it will remove over 13,270 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, which is the equivalent of what almost 3,100 average vehicles emit on Australia’s roads in a single year.

Greenfleet uses the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) to measure the carbon uptake at each of our revegetation sites. Designed by the CSIRO, this model helps us understand how much carbon will be sequestered over the protection period. Our carbon estate is also assured by a government accredited carbon auditor.

Location Size 

27 hectares near Kyneton, Victoria 

Planting Dates 

2025

Species 

  1. Silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) 
  2. Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) 
  3. Hedge wattle (Acacia paradoxa) 
  4. Prickly Moses (Acacia verticillata) 
  5. Silver banksia (Banksia marginata) 
  6. Common cassinia (Cassinia aculeata) 
  7. Broad-leaved peppermint (Eucalyptus dives) 
  8. Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua) 
  9. Swamp gum (Eucalyptus ovata) 
  10. Narrow-leaved peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata) 
  11. Candlebark (Eucalyptus rubida) 
  12. Manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) 
  13. Narrow-leaf bitter-pea (Daviesia leptophylla) 
  14. Hop-bush (Dodonaea viscosa) 
  15. Prickly tea-tree (Leptospermum continentale) 
  16. Tree violet (Melicytus dentatus) 
  17. Grey everlasting (Ozothamnus obcordatus)Â