Nullawarra Station Native Forest Protection Project

Nullawarra Station Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located at Nullawarra Station, approximately 35km south of Cobar in western New South Wales. It was registered in February 2014 and covers an area of 9,423.73 ha.

Avoided deforestation projects generate carbon credits by protecting native forests from being cleared and converted into agricultural systems, such as grazing land or cropping. For this specific methodology to apply, the land must have been issued a valid clearing permit prior to 1 July 2010. By relinquishing the right to clear the land, the project prevents the greenhouse gas emissions that would have resulted from the deforestation and subsequent decay or burning of the vegetation. In May 2015, the project method was varied to transition to the updated Avoided Deforestation 1.1 Methodology Determination 2015.

The Cobar region is historically known for extensive leasehold pastoral activities, primarily supporting sheep, goats, and cattle operations. The local environment is classified as semi-arid, experiencing highly variable and generally low rainfall averaging between 350mm and 400mm annually. Soils across the region are typically dominated by red chromosols, well-structured grey and brown vertosols, and red or sandy loams.

Interestingly, this carbon project operates alongside the Jan-A-Ree SheepMaster Stud, a specialised commercial full-blood sheep breeding enterprise run by the project's proponent, David Harrison. This demonstrates how native forest preservation can run concurrently with adapted agricultural operations. In October 2021, a registry variation was made to update the project participants to David Harrison and Trictor Investments Pty Ltd, following the tragic passing of original co-proponent Jan Harrison in late 2015. The project also lists Terra Carbon Pty Limited as an additional participant, working with the project on carbon abatement contracts.