North West Regeneration Project

North West Regeneration Project (originally registered as Birrimba/The Cato Regeneration Project) is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located near Enngonia, approximately 100km north of Bourke in the far north-west of New South Wales. It was registered in August 2015 and covers an expansive 21,251.40 ha across the "Birrimba" and "The Cato" properties, which form part of the larger Warrego Station.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve the establishment of permanent native forests on land where vegetation was previously cleared and regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years. Standard requirements under this methodology include achieving a forest cover of at least 20% canopy and trees reaching 2 metres in height, which is achieved by altering land management practices. For this project, activities include ceasing the mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth, managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, and the humane management of feral animals.

The Enngonia and Bourke region is characterised by large-scale pastoral operations, primarily focused on sheep, goat, and cattle grazing. The environment is considered semi-arid with hot summers and a low average annual rainfall of around 354mm. The soils in this north-western rangeland region typically consist of red sandy loams, earths, and heavier cracking clays (Vertosols) along the river floodplains.

This project was established by the Mudford family, who have operated Merino studs and grazing operations in NSW for over a century. By integrating carbon farming into their enterprise, they rely on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, to restore the native landscape while balancing their pastoral activities. The project secured a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC102192) in November 2015 to deliver abatement to the Commonwealth, which was successfully completed in July 2026.