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 October 16, 2014, and covers a total project area of 9843.96 ha.

Avoided deforestation projects involve protecting native forest that would otherwise have been cleared for agricultural purposes. To be eligible under the standard methodology requirements, the project area must be protected under a 100-year or 25-year permanence period, and the land must have had a valid clearing permit issued prior to 1 July 2010.

The Cobar region is historically known for a mix of base metal and gold mining, alongside extensive grazing and pastoral enterprises primarily running sheep, cattle, and semi-managed rangeland goats. The area experiences a semi-arid climate characterised by low, variable rainfall (averaging around 400mm annually) and high evaporation rates. The surrounding environment on the Cobar Pediplain generally consists of highly weathered red loams and sandy loams.

This project avoids greenhouse gas emissions by actively not clearing the native forest and preventing the land's conversion into an agricultural system. Originally established by local grazier Ken Dunne, who committed to protecting the forest under a 100-year agreement, the project participant name was officially varied to Terra Carbon Pty Limited in March 2015, and the project method was updated to the 2015 Methodology Determination shortly after. Regular carbon income from the project provided crucial revenue during severe historic droughts across Western NSW. This funding allowed the property to purchase supplementary feed for sheep, dig new ground tanks for a consistent water supply, and replace kilometres of fencing to better manage livestock and feral goat populations. The property remains locally active, with Ken Dunne recently hosting community motoring events at the Killala property.