Lila Springs Native Forest Protection Project

Lila Springs Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located on the 'Lila Springs' pastoral station, approximately 65km north of Bourke in the Far West region of New South Wales. Registered in December 2014, the project covers a significant expanse of 40,276 hectares. The project operates within the Mulga Lands bioregion, an area characterized by semi-arid conditions, variable rainfall, and red earth or clay soils. The surrounding region is predominantly used for rangeland grazing, particularly for sheep and cattle, which relies on the management of native vegetation.

The project utilizes the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology, a "legacy" method under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme. This methodology is specifically designed for landholders who held a valid clearing permit issued before 1 July 2010, typically an Invasive Native Scrub (INS) Property Vegetation Plan in this region. By voluntarily surrendering the right to clear this native forest for agricultural expansion (such as cropping or improved pasture), the proponent generates carbon credits equivalent to the emissions avoided.

This specific project is managed by Hamilton Developments (VIC) Pty Ltd, with Terra Carbon Pty Limited acting as the agent. The Lila Springs station itself has a long history in the region, with records of the property operating as a sheep station dating back to the late 19th century. While the Avoided Deforestation method was revoked for new entrants in 2023 due to policy updates, existing projects like Lila Springs continue to generate credits for the duration of their crediting period, ensuring the long-term protection of the site's Mulga, Coolibah, and Box woodlands.