Carbon Estate - Creating a Better Climate - Stage 2

Carbon Estate - Creating a Better Climate - Stage 2 is a reforestation project located on the "Barooga Karrai" property, approximately 60km west of Condobolin in the Central West region of New South Wales. The project was registered on January 7, 2015, and was established on land previously used for agricultural purposes, such as cropping and grazing. The property itself covers over 10,000 hectares, with the carbon project covering a significant portion of this landscape through strategic tree belts and block plantings.

The project operates under the Reforestation and Afforestation 1.2 methodology, which focuses on establishing permanent plantings on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. Specifically, this project planted Eucalyptus polybractea (Blue Mallee), a species renowned for its drought tolerance and high carbon sequestration rates in lower rainfall environments. The project is designed to be permanent, with a 100-year permanence period committed to maintaining the carbon stocks.

The Condobolin region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 450mm. The landscape typically features red earth and clay soils, which are well-suited to the native mallee eucalypts selected for the planting. These environmental conditions make the area ideal for carbon forestry, as the trees are resilient to the dry conditions that frequently challenge traditional agriculture in the region.

A notable feature of this project is its deep integration with Indigenous land management. The project was developed through a partnership between the proponent, Carbon Estate (managed by CO2 Australia), and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC). The Barooga Karrai property was returned to the Murrin Bridge Local Aboriginal Land Council in 2016, and the carbon project continues to provide an economic stream for the local community while employing Traditional Owners for monitoring and land management. The project successfully completed its Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC308837) in March 2024, delivering over 55,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the Commonwealth.