Nullawarra Station Native Forest Protection Project

The Nullawarra Station Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located approximately 35km south-southwest of Cobar in the Orana region of New South Wales. Registered in February 2014, the project covers a substantial area of 9,423 hectares. The property sits within the Cobar Peneplain bioregion, an area traditionally characterized by rangeland grazing for sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as copper mining operations in the broader district.

The project operates under the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology. This specific carbon farming method is designed for landholders who hold a historic clearing consent, specifically an Invasive Native Scrub (INS) permit issued prior to July 1, 2010. By surrendering the right to clear this native forest for agricultural expansion (such as cropping or high-density grazing), the proponent protects the existing vegetation. The carbon stored in these trees, which would have otherwise been released through bulldozing and burning, generates the carbon credits.

Environmentally, the region is classified as semi-arid with hot summers and unreliable rainfall averaging between 300mm and 400mm annually. The landscape typically features undulating low ridges and plains with red earth soils and lithosols (skeletal soils). The vegetation protected by this project likely consists of poplar box woodlands, mulga, and white cypress pine, which are dominant species in the Cobar Peneplain.

An interesting aspect of this operation is its scale and staged development; a second project, "Nullawarra Station #2", was subsequently registered, indicating an expansion of conservation efforts on the property. The project is managed with the assistance of Terra Carbon Pty Ltd and holds a fixed delivery contract with the Clean Energy Regulator, ensuring a steady supply of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the government.