Yarrawonga Cobar Regeneration Project

Yarrawonga Cobar Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 17 kilometers south-west of the township of Cobar in central New South Wales. Registered in September 2015, the project covers a significant area of 9,978 hectares. The project area appears to be situated on "Yarrawonga," a pastoral station in the region, distinct from the Victorian town of the same name.

The Cobar region is part of the Cobar Peneplain and is traditionally utilized for rangeland grazing (predominantly sheep and goats) and mining operations. The landscape is characterized by a semi-arid climate with highly variable rainfall, averaging around 390mm annually. The local environment typically features massive red earth soils (Red Chromosols) and lithosols, supporting vegetation communities such as Mulga (Acacia aneura), Bimble Box, and White Cypress Pine.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects generate carbon credits by allowing native forests to regenerate from in-situ seed sources (like rootstock or lignotubers). This is achieved by ceasing activities that previously suppressed this growth. For the Yarrawonga Cobar project, specific activities include the cessation of mechanical or chemical clearing and the active management of feral animals, such as goats, which are prevalent in the Cobar shire and graze heavily on young saplings.

A notable aspect of this project is its longevity; while registered in 2015, the crediting period was backdated to start in January 2011, allowing for a long-term assessment of forest regeneration. In July 2023, the project method was varied to the 2013 Methodology Determination (Compilation No. 3), a standard administrative update ensuring the project aligns with the latest legislative frameworks for calculating carbon abatement.