☸️ Land in Trust to the Saṅgha — Conservation Viability Analysis

NSW Biodiversity Conservation Scheme • Nandewar Bioregion • Mt Kaputar Area

Bhikkhunī Saṅgha Forest Monastery • Lay Co-operative Support • BCT Fixed Price Offer

🗺️ Property Location — Nandewar Bioregion

🏠 Listing 🗺️ SEED Map 🌱 Veg Map

🏡 Property Details [4]

🌲 Vegetation Composition [2]

Source: NSW SVTM ArcGIS, 24-point grid sample at property coordinates

💵 BCT Annual Income [1]

🦉 Threatened Species

📊 Quick Numbers

🌿 Vegetation Types on Property [2]

PCT data from NSW SVTM (State Vegetation Type Map). Boundaries approximate based on 24-point grid sampling.

🌲 Plant Community Types (PCTs)

PCTNameAreaTEC?

🦉 Threatened Species & Communities

📚 Wider Area — 32 PCTs in Nandewar Bioregion

The NSW SVTM envelope query (150.25–150.40°E, 30.28–30.40°S) identified 32 unique Plant Community Types in the wider area including the property. This reflects the exceptional biodiversity of the Nandewar Bioregion and Mt Kaputar area, which spans the transition between the New England Tablelands and the north-western slopes.

🔬 E. laevopinea (ALA) 🌍 GBIF Surveys 🗺️ SVTM Service

💵 BCT Fixed Price Offer Rates [1]

Annual payment per hectare, in perpetuity, CPI-indexed. Rates vary by land capability class.

LGALC 7&8
steep/rocky
LC 4,5,6
moderate
LC 1,2,3
best
Source: BCT Fixed Price Offer Schedule, Central & Eastern NSW, published 12 March 2024, file updated 4 Feb 2026. 📄 Download PDF

💰 Income Calculation for This Property

📋 Scheme Requirements [3]

  • Minimum 50 hectares native vegetation (Central/Eastern NSW)
  • Or 20+ ha of Threatened Ecological Community
  • Agreement registered on land title in perpetuity
  • Annual payments, CPI-indexed
  • Conservation Management Plan (weed control, fire, fencing)
  • BCT ecologists assess site before acceptance
  • Competitive process — best conservation value prioritised
  • Next EOI round opens later in 2026

⚙️ Model Parameters

📈 Income vs Costs (Year 1)

👥 Per-Member Commitment

📊 20-Year Projection (BCT payments CPI-indexed at 2.5%/yr)

☸️ Title in Trust to the Saṅgha

🌳
Conservation Area
~280 ha under BCT agreement
Largest portion • In perpetuity
Native forest stewardship
Annual BCT payments
☸️
Bhikkhunī Monastery
~10 ha separate title
Held in trust for Saṅgha
Meditation halls, kuṭīs
Kitchen garden, paths
👥
Lay Co-operative
Smallest part
20+ supporter-members
Annual contributions
Administrative support

The land is held in trust to the Saṅgha. The co-operative manages the BCT agreement and finances. The monastics are forest stewards.

📋 Land Allocation (430 ha)

📐 How It Works

1. Conservation Area (~280 ha) — Largest

Native forest under BCT funded conservation agreement. In perpetuity. Annual payments of ~$23k/yr (CPI-indexed). Weed control, fire management, biodiversity monitoring. Forest walks and meditation compatible.

2. Monastery (~10 ha) — Separate Title

Subdivided, vested in trust for the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. Kuṭīs (dwellings), meditation hall, kitchen, walking paths, garden. Adjacent to forest and Mt Kaputar NP.

3. Lay Co-operative — Smallest Part

Registered co-op of lay supporters. Manages BCT agreement, finances, insurance. Members contribute ~$200/month. Holds land title in trust for Saṅgha. Does not own land privately.

4. Pasture / Buffer (~140 ha)

Improved pasture and cleared areas. Potential for revegetation (increases BCT area over time). Buffer between conservation zone and any neighbours.

🌿 The Vision

430 hectares of native Orange Gum – Caleys Ironbark dry sclerophyll forest in the Nandewar Bioregion, between Barraba and Narrabri near Mt Kaputar National Park. The land contains Critically Endangered Box-Gum Woodland and habitat for Koala, Greater Glider, and Spotted-tail Quoll.

Under a BCT Conservation Agreement, the co-operative receives ~$23,000/year (CPI-indexed, in perpetuity) for conserving the native vegetation. Combined with member contributions of ~$48,000/year, the model covers mortgage, management, and monastery costs.

The forest protects the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha protects the forest. 🌿

📚 Sources & Citations