Killala Native Forest Protection Project

Killala Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located at Killala Station, approximately 50km south of Cobar in central-western New South Wales. It was registered on 16 October 2014 and covers a total project area of 9843.96 hectares. The wider Cobar region is well known for its pastoral grazing operations, predominantly sheep and beef cattle, alongside historical and active mining ventures. The local environment is classified as semi-arid with consistently low, variable rainfall, and the regional soils typically consist of red earths, sandy loams, and clay plains.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Avoided Deforestation 1.1) Methodology Determination 2015. Avoided deforestation projects generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by protecting native forests that would otherwise be permanently cleared and converted into agricultural systems. A standard requirement for this methodology is that the land must have had a valid clearing permit issued prior to 1 July 2010. By choosing to surrender or not act upon this permit and leaving the native forest intact, the project avoids significant greenhouse gas emissions and preserves existing carbon stocks.

An interesting note about this project is that it was initially registered by Kenneth James Dunne, a prominent local grazier, before the proponent was officially varied to Terra Carbon Pty Limited, a subsidiary company of GreenCollar, in March 2015. Ken Dunne remains an active figure in the local community and recently hosted the Cobar Dust Bowl Fuel Burners car and motorcycle club at the Killala property. Furthermore, the project’s methodology was updated shortly after the proponent variation, transitioning in May 2015 from the 2013 Avoided Deforestation determination to the 1.1 version of 2015.