Carbon Estate - Creating a Better Climate

Carbon Estate - Creating a Better Climate is a reforestation project located on the Barooga Karrai property, approximately 12km north of Lake Cargelligo in NSW. It was registered in September 2013 and operates across a 10,500-hectare property owned by the Murrin Bridge Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings projects involve establishing permanent plantings of native trees on land previously cleared for agricultural use. Standard requirements dictate that trees must have the potential to reach at least 2 meters in height and achieve a minimum of 20% crown cover to constitute a forest.

The Lake Cargelligo area is traditionally known for wheat cropping and sheep farming operations. The region is considered semi-arid, receiving a low average annual rainfall of approximately 300 to 450 mm, and the soils are typically deep red earths and calcareous sandy loams.

This project was established by planting drought and fire-resistant Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus loxophleba, and Eucalyptus kochii in belts through existing cropping paddocks. It was set up with a strong community focus, operating under a revenue-sharing agreement with Traditional Owners and providing direct employment for local community members.