Nalbarra Regeneration Project

Nalbarra Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Nalbarra Station, approximately 70km north of Paynes Find and 80km south of Mount Magnet in the Murchison region of Western Australia. It was registered in November 2017 and covers a large project area of 141,230.28 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration. This is typically implemented on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been suppressed for at least 10 years. Standard requirements for this methodology involve changing agricultural and land management practices, such as restricting grazing density or controlling pests, to allow native seeds and rootstocks to naturally regenerate into forest cover.

The Murchison region surrounding the project area is known for extensive pastoral grazing (historically sheep, and more recently cattle) and gold prospecting. The area is classified as having a semi-arid to arid climate, with unpredictable and highly variable rainfall averaging around 240-250mm annually. Soils across the station's characteristic wash plains and breakaways are generally red loamy earths, red shallow sandy duplexes, and red deep sands.

This project was established to regenerate native forest by managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals. By alleviating these browsing and suppression pressures, in-situ seed sources, including native rootstock and lignotubers, are able to naturally recover and establish permanent native forests.

Originally set up with John Wainwright as the proponent, the project underwent a variation in November 2018 to transfer proponent duties to Hamilton Agriculture Pty Ltd, supported by Select Carbon Pty Ltd. The project area was also varied in April 2020. Interestingly, Nalbarra Station itself is a popular outback tourist destination. Operating as a working pastoral station that shifted a larger focus from sheep to cattle in 2025, it regularly hosts outback travellers in its historic shearers' quarters and is renowned for its sprawling wildflower displays following good winter rains.