Wiree Avoided Deforestation Project

Wiree Avoided Deforestation Project is a forest protection initiative located at "Eureka Plains" station, approximately 20km east of the small township of Enngonia and roughly 100km north of Bourke in New South Wales. Registered in November 2016, the project covers a substantial area of 19,794 hectares within the Mulga Lands bioregion. This area is traditionally dominated by extensive grazing operations, where cattle and sheep are run on large pastoral stations adapted to the semi-arid conditions.

The project operates under the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology. This specific carbon farming method is designed for landholders who hold a distinct clearing permit (specifically an Invasive Native Scrub clearing consent) issued before 1 July 2010. By choosing not to exercise this right to clear the native forest for agriculture (such as cropping or improved pasture), the project proponent prevents the release of stored carbon. Instead of clearing, the native forest is retained and managed to maintain carbon stocks, generating credits for the emissions avoided.

Environmentally, the region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with highly variable rainfall, typically averaging between 300mm and 400mm annually. The landscape features the red sandy loams and red earth soils typical of the "Back O' Bourke," supporting vegetation communities dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura), Gidgee, and Bimble Box. These soils are ancient and fragile, making the retention of native vegetation critical for preventing erosion and maintaining soil health.

A notable aspect of this project is its integration into a broader "regenerative grazing" commercial model by the proponent, SLM Partners (Australia Livestock Fund). The "Wiree" project is part of the larger Eureka aggregation, where the owners successfully combined sustainable cattle production with carbon revenues. Corporate reports from SLM Partners highlight that the reliable income from this carbon project was instrumental in buffering the agricultural business against financial volatility during the severe 2017–2019 drought, proving the economic resilience of combining traditional farming with carbon conservation.