Yarrawonga Willara Forest Regeneration Project

Yarrawonga Willara Forest Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Paroo region of far-west New South Wales, approximately 180km northwest of Bourke. It was registered in September 2015 and covers an extensive 27,465 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent even-aged native forests on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been actively suppressed for at least 10 years. To generate credits, proponents must change land management practices to allow native trees to regenerate from in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers until they achieve a minimum of 20% canopy cover and reach at least two meters in height. The core activities for this project include the complete cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth and the humane management of feral animals.

The far-west region surrounding Bourke and the Paroo River is primarily known for extensive pastoralism, specifically large-scale cattle and sheep grazing operations. The environment is classified as semi-arid, experiencing low and highly variable rainfall throughout the year. The typical soils in this outback area generally consist of sandy loams, red earths, and occasional alluvial clays near ephemeral river systems.

This project operates in partnership with the major carbon service provider Climate Friendly. Interestingly, the project proponents, the Willara Partners Family Trust, are active pastoralists in the Bourke area who operate a commercial cattle business, recently selling Santa Gertrudis cross steers at regional livestock markets. Furthermore, Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated by the Yarrawonga Willara project have been actively purchased on the voluntary market; for instance, the Barangaroo Precinct in Sydney retired these specific credits to help achieve and maintain its official Climate Active carbon neutral certification.