Yarrawonga Cobar Regeneration Project

Yarrawonga Cobar Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 20 kilometers south of the township of Cobar in the Orana region of New South Wales. Registered in September 2015, the project covers a significant area of 9,978 hectares. The property, known as "Yarrawonga," operates within the Cobar Peneplain bioregion, an area historically dominated by rangeland grazing of sheep, goats, and cattle.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects differ from tree planting initiatives as they rely on restoring native forests through the management of existing seed banks and rootstock. Instead of mechanically planting seedlings, the methodology requires the proponent to stop suppression activities, such as mechanical clearing or intensive grazing, that previously prevented vegetation from reaching forest maturity. In this specific project, activities include the cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth and the humane management of feral animals to allow the forest to regenerate naturally.

The environment in the Cobar region is classified as semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and cool winters with highly variable rainfall averaging approximately 390mm annually. The soil landscape typically features red earths and lithosols, which support native vegetation communities such as Mulga (Acacia aneura), Bimble Box (Poplar Box), and White Cypress Pine. The region is prone to dry spells, making the management of grazing pressure critical for both carbon sequestration and land sustainability.

This project is facilitated by Climate Friendly Pty Ltd and has been active for nearly a decade, with a crediting period running until 2035. A notable administrative update occurred in July 2023, when the project varied its methodology to Compilation 3 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act. This variation ensures the project remains aligned with the most current regulatory standards for calculating abatement and monitoring forest cover.