The cleared land and breakways of the property. Photo Cary Nicholas

No not really, but that’s one suggestion made for a property just secured in the Fitz-Stirling section of the Link. After nearly 10 months of legal negotiation the National Trust’s Bush Bank Revolving Fund is now the proud part-owner of a property we’ve been calling ‘Cowboy Country’ for its spectacular red mesas and breakaway cliffs. The initial deal was struck last July, with Gondwana Link’s Keith Bradby and the National Trust’s Rod Safstrom negotiating a four way arrangement with former owners the Plane family and adjoining farmers Robert and Wispy Bayley, who will own the southern, more farmable portion.

The whole property is 1100 ha, with nearly 400 ha of bush and breakaways. 350 ha of cleared land will be kept with the bushland portion and 340 ha of the better farming soils is being purchased by the Bayleys. A lease with an option to purchase has been prepared for Greening Australia, and Greening already has arrangements in place to enable large scale plantings to commence.

The property will form an important link between the Corackerup Creek reserve and Corackerup Nature reserve and is only 7 km south of Bush Heritage’s Chereninup Creek Reserve. Though the work so far has concentrated on securing the property, Keith has already spotted good populations of the delightfully red-flowered Corackerup Moort (Euc. vesiculosa), an increasingly rare locally endemic. More finds to be made no doubt.

Congratulations and thanks to Rod Safstrom of National Trust Bush Bank Revolving Fund for negotiating the purchase and agreeing to manage the subdivision process.

The spectacular red breakaway at the property’s entrance. Photo Paula Deegan