Goldfields Pastoral Carbon Aggregation

Goldfields Pastoral Carbon Aggregation is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, approximately 60km southeast of Sandstone. It was registered in May 2018 and covers a massive 591,042ha, having been reduced from an initial footprint of 1.2 million hectares following a project area variation in July 2020.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration. The standard methodology requirements dictate that the land must have been cleared of native vegetation and its regrowth continuously suppressed by activities like grazing or feral animals for at least 10 years before the project begins. This project specifically manages the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals, to allow in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, to naturally regenerate and achieve forest cover.

The Goldfields region is characterised by a semi-arid desert climate with low annual rainfall, generally averaging around 250mm. The general land use in the surrounding area is heavily dominated by pastoral grazing (primarily massive cattle and sheep stations) and gold mining operations. The soils in this region typically consist of red earths, shallow sands over hardpan, and ironstone gravels.

An interesting note about this project is that it encompasses multiple pastoral leases held by Chinese-owned Zenith Australia, spanning the Mertondale, Riverina, Perrinvale, Clover Downs, Jeedamya, Melita, and Kookynie stations across the shires of Leonora and Menzies. Originally registered under Australian Integrated Carbon Financial Services Pty Ltd, the proponent was officially varied to REGENCO PTY LTD in June 2020. At its inception, it was reported as one of Australia's largest carbon farming projects, capable of generating millions of dollars in carbon credits annually. The project successfully completed its initial carbon abatement contract (CAC584424) in March 2021.