Gabyon Station Regeneration Project

Gabyon Station Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Gabyon Station, approximately 35km west of Yalgoo and 200km east of Geraldton in the Murchison area of the Mid-West region of Western Australia. It was registered in May 2018 and covers a vast 270,372ha. In April 2020, a variation was applied to remove some specific areas from the project boundary.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests by removing suppressive pressures that have prevented vegetative regrowth for at least 10 years. For this specific project, the methodology requires managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing to allow assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers to eventually reach forest cover.

The Murchison area is predominantly known for extensive pastoral grazing, primarily sheep and cattle, as well as historic mining operations. The environment is considered semi-arid, receiving roughly 150mm to 200mm of annual rainfall. The region's landscape is characterised by striking red earth, clay pans, and alluvial "black soil" plains. These soils support resilient mulga shrublands and produce famous seasonal displays of everlastings and wreath flowers.

Interestingly, Gabyon Station is a historic, working pastoral lease that has successfully diversified its income following the collapse of the live sheep trade by introducing carbon farming and an outback station stay business. The proponent, Gemma Lee Cripps, has implemented innovative regenerative agricultural practices on the property. Recent initiatives include the use of virtual fencing collars, which allow dynamic management of cattle grazing across the sparse landscape, enabling the station to maintain its herds without overgrazing or degrading the regenerating native vegetation.