Goldfields Pastoral Carbon Aggregation

Goldfields Pastoral Carbon Aggregation is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote rangelands of Western Australia, approximately 65km south of the township of Sandstone. Registered in May 2018, this massive aggregation covers a total area of 591,042 hectares within the Shire of Sandstone. The region is traditionally utilized for extensive pastoral grazing, primarily sheep and cattle, and is historically significant for gold mining operations.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which differs from environmental planting by focusing on restoring native forest cover through land management changes rather than seedling planting. Key activities involve managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and controlling feral animals, particularly goats, to allow suppressed native seed banks (such as lignotubers and rootstock) to regenerate into permanent forest.

Environmental conditions in this part of the Goldfields-Mid West region are classified as semi-arid to arid. The area receives low and irregular rainfall, typically averaging between 200mm and 250mm annually. The landscape is dominated by red earth and sandy loam soils over hardpan, supporting vegetation types such as Acacia aneura (Mulga) woodlands and shrublands which are well-adapted to these harsh conditions.

This project is an "aggregation," meaning it likely groups multiple pastoral leases or land parcels under a single project ID to streamline administration and compliance. Notably, the project has successfully completed a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC584424) with the Australian Government, delivering 100,000 tonnes of abatement. In 2020, the project proponent changed from Australian Integrated Carbon Financial Services to REGENCO PTY LTD, a major developer of natural capital projects in the rangelands.