Noona Station Native Forest Protection Project

Noona Station Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located approximately 85km southwest of Cobar in the rangelands of Western New South Wales. Registered on November 3, 2014, the project covers a significant area of 18,018 hectares. The property operates within the Cobar Peneplain, a region dominated by extensive grazing of sheep, cattle, and goats on native vegetation. The landscape is typical of the semi-arid "Mulga lands," characterized by red earth soils and open woodlands featuring Mulga (Acacia aneura), Bimble Box (Eucalyptus populnea), and invasive native scrub species like turpentine and hopbush.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Avoided Deforestation 1.1) Methodology Determination 2015. This methodology is designed for landholders who hold a distinct clearing permit issued prior to July 1, 2010, which would have allowed them to convert the native forest into cropland or improved pasture. Instead of exercising this right to clear, the proponent commits to protecting the forest in perpetuity. By preventing the release of carbon stored in the vegetation and soil that would have occurred during clearing, the project generates Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). The methodology requires strict adherence to maintaining the forest cover and managing threats such as wildfire and feral animals.

An interesting aspect of this project is its integration with active pastoralism. While the project is currently managed by Terra Carbon Pty Limited (a subsidiary of the GreenCollar Group), the station owners have utilized the carbon revenue to fund infrastructure improvements, such as 15km of new fencing to improve livestock management. This dual-use model demonstrates how carbon farming can function alongside traditional agriculture, providing drought-resilient income streams for graziers in volatile climate zones. The project has successfully transitioned from its original individual participant to corporate aggregation, ensuring long-term compliance and reporting capability.