General news
20 June, 2025
Government overreach threatens local institution
Bland Shire Landholders Right to Farm Group takes NSW Govt officials on tour
AS Premier Minns’ NSW Government unveils a $100 million boost for agricultural research, development, and biosecurity, a progressive, family-owned company in West Wyalong stands as a compelling example of the innovation and environmental leadership that the funding is intended to support.
With more than 60 years of dedication to native vegetation regeneration, the locally based enterprise has invested millions of its own funds - without relying on government grants - into one of NSW's largest privately funded tree breeding and regeneration projects. To date, Mt Mulga Pastoral Co has planted over four million blue mallee eucalypt trees, laying the foundation for a high-value, climate-positive eucalyptus oil industry with global reach. Company founder Sybil Davis, now aged 92, explained her husband Geoff (dec) established the first blue mallee plantation in Australia in 1951, a partnership with the NSW Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Since that time, the company has engaged Australia’s leading scientific minds including those from CSIRO, and the Australian National University – to join forces to advance eucalyptus oil production through research and tree breeding. The aim: to develop a world-class, high-quality product that can compete globally on both quality and cost of production.
The company has transformed former wheat paddocks into thriving native blue mallee plantations, carbon-sequestering ecosystems that regrow vigorously after each coppice. Their substantial environmental contributions include the voluntary allocation of more than 500 hectares to the NSW Mallee Fowl Recovery Program, helping protect habitat for the endangered species.
Dr Neil Byron former Natural Resource Commissioner and Productivity Commissioner said, “This is exactly the kind of enterprise the NSW Government should be celebrating. Here’s a family that built an industry from the ground up, delivered biodiversity outcomes, and created local jobs - without asking for a dollar of public money”.
The company is currently dealing with NSW Government mapping error involving outdated vegetation classifications. The incorrect data has inadvertently impacted the property's land valuation and imposed restrictive development limitations hampering further expansion. The company plans include a further million blue mallee trees to be planted in the coming years.
While the company does not believe the issue is intentional, it highlights a striking irony – “the only reason the NSW Government wants to reclassify and restrict our land use is because we have allowed the native vegetation to thrive,” explained Sybil Davis (pictured below).
Despite the current mapping issue, the company remains optimistic and committed to a collaborative resolution with the NSW Government.
“We’re confident that, through ongoing discussions, this will be resolved fairly,” Sybil Davis said.
“We share the same goals when it comes to environmental stewardship and innovation - we just need systems that recognise and support those already doing the work.”
Industry experts agree the case underscores the need for better alignment between policy frameworks and private sector environmental leadership.
“This is a company that should be rewarded for over half a century of commitment to biodiversity, regeneration, and conservation. That’s not just innovation, that’s nation-building”, said Dr Bryon.
As NSW looks to future-proof its agriculture and environmental policy, this West Wyalong company stands as a shining example of how regional Australia can lead the way - with vision, values, and action. Hopefully they can continue.
Read More: West Wyalong
