Yarrawonga Willara Forest Regeneration Project

The Yarrawonga Willara Forest Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Mulga Lands of north-western New South Wales. Situated approximately 50 kilometers north of Wanaaring and south of the Queensland border town of Hungerford, the project encompasses the pastoral properties of Yarrawonga and Willara. Registered in September 2015, the project covers a substantial area of 27,465 hectares.

The region is characterized by semi-arid rangelands, historically utilized for extensive sheep and cattle grazing. The landscape features flat to undulating sandplains with red earth soils (kandosols) and clay pans, supporting vegetation typical of the Mulga Lands bioregion, such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) and various eucalypt woodlands.

This project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This method credits landholders for regenerating permanent native forests by ceasing activities that suppress growth, specifically, mechanical clearing and unmanaged grazing. By managing feral animals (such as goats) and controlling domestic livestock pressure, the project allows suppressed native vegetation to recover and reach forest maturity. The project has secured a carbon abatement contract with the Australian Government, committing to deliver over 230,000 tonnes of abatement.