Oakvale Native Forest Protection Project

Oakvale Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located near the rural locality of Coolabah, approximately 80km northwest of Nyngan in New South Wales. The project was registered in May 2014 and covers a significant area of 13,953.55 hectares.

The project operates under the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology, which credits landholders for protecting native forest that they previously held a government permit to clear. By forgoing the right to clear this land for agricultural use (such as cropping or grazing improvement), the project prevents the release of stored carbon. The methodology requires that the forest be managed to maintain or increase carbon stocks, rather than being converted to grassland or cropland.

The Coolabah and Nyngan region is situated within the Cobar Peneplain bioregion, an area characterized by semi-arid conditions with an average annual rainfall of approximately 400-450mm. The landscape is dominated by red earth and clay loam soils, supporting vegetation types often classified as Invasive Native Scrub (INS), including Mulga, Bimble Box, and White Cypress Pine. Land use in the surrounding area is primarily focused on sheep and cattle grazing, with some opportunistic cropping.

This project has successfully fulfilled its Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC130427) with the Australian Government, delivering 241,965 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by September 2022. It stands as an example of early participation in the Emissions Reduction Fund, where large-scale grazing properties utilized clearing permits (Invasive Native Scrub Property Vegetation Plans) to generate carbon revenue instead of clearing vegetation.