Double Gates Native Forest Protection Project

The Double Gates Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located on Double Gates Station, approximately 50km southwest of Cobar in the Western Division of New South Wales. Registered on March 11, 2015, the project operates on a large landholding of 22,558 hectares. The property is owned and managed by Terry and Denise Dunne, who run a Merino sheep enterprise. The region is characterized by rangeland grazing and mining activities, typical of the Cobar Peneplain.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Avoided Deforestation 1.1) Methodology Determination 2015. This methodology is designed to prevent emissions by protecting native forest that would otherwise have been cleared for agricultural use. To be eligible, the land must have held a valid clearing permit (such as an Invasive Native Scrub permit) issued prior to July 1, 2010. By forfeiting the right to clear this vegetation, the project generates carbon credits equivalent to the emissions avoided from the trees' biomass and soil disturbance.

Environmentally, the Cobar region is classified as semi-arid, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 390mm. The landscape features red earth and lithosol soils, supporting native vegetation types such as Mulga, Bimble Box, Coolibah, and invasive native scrub species like Hopbush and Turpentine. The project area protects these ecosystems, maintaining habitat for native wildlife including emus and kangaroos.

Historically, the project played a pivotal role in the financial resilience of the station. The proponents, the Dunne family, initially faced uncertainty regarding their eligibility for the scheme due to timing issues with their vegetation management plans. However, the successful registration of the project allowed them to withstand severe droughts without relying on government grants. The revenue generated from carbon credits has enabled infrastructure improvements on the station and supported the local economy through the employment of local contractors.