The Boola Boornap Native Tree Nursery has taken a major step forward following the completion of a significant upgrade and expansion, made possible through $100,000 in State Government funding from the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.
The project has strengthened the nursery’s ability to grow native seedlings for land restoration across Noongar Boodja and beyond, while creating new opportunities for Aboriginal employment and enterprise.
NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the funding came at the perfect time, as demand for native seedlings continues to rise.
“Boola Boornap is growing rapidly, both in what it produces and the role it plays in supporting land restoration across the South West,” Mr Beattie said.
“This grant has allowed us to make important upgrades that set the nursery up for the future.”
Since purchasing WA Farm Trees in 2020, the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) has developed Boola Boornap into a thriving enterprise producing an ever-expanding range of native species for ecological restoration and cultural land management.
The RED Grant provided an opportunity to build on this success by expanding facilities, improving infrastructure, and preparing the nursery for future accreditation to sell directly to the public.
Upgrades across the site have delivered lasting improvements to productivity, efficiency and safety.
The office underwent roof repairs, air conditioning installation, new benches and sinks, and improved security.
The shed received upgraded lighting and security systems, while the growing area was revitalised with new shade cloth, blue metal groundcover, reticulation repairs and extensions, and updated piping.
A major focus was the expansion area, developed with raised seedling beds, benches, additional reticulation, and upgrades to water catchment and storage capacity.
“These kinds of improvements make a big difference to how we operate day-to-day,” Mr Beattie said.
“They’ve given us a safer, more efficient workplace and the ability to scale up as demand grows.”
With the project now complete, Boola Boornap is well-positioned to meet increasing demand for native seedlings and restoration projects across Western Australia.
The upgrades have already begun to support new employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, as higher production levels create the need for more hands on deck.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see how investment in infrastructure can directly create pathways for Noongar employment and enterprise,” Mr Beattie said.
“Boola Boornap is more than a nursery, it’s a platform for cultural and environmental restoration led by Noongar people.”
