Yarraquin Station Regeneration Project

The Yarraquin Station Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Murchison region of Western Australia. The project area is centered approximately 40 kilometers east of the historic gold mining town of Cue, extending across a vast pastoral lease of approximately 128,514 hectares. Registered in May 2019, the project operates on Yarraquin Station, a property with a long history of wool production that has transitioned to cattle grazing under the ownership of the Breese family.

The project utilizes the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology, which credits landholders for regenerating native forests by removing the pressures that previously suppressed them. In this context, the project activities involve managing the timing and extent of cattle grazing and actively controlling feral animals (likely goats) to allow the native vegetation to recover. To be eligible for ACCUs, the regenerating vegetation must be capable of reaching "forest cover" status, defined as a canopy cover of at least 20% and a height of 2 meters.

The Murchison region is defined by its semi-arid to arid climate and ancient landscape. The area typically receives low and irregular rainfall, averaging around 230 millimeters annually, often delivered via summer thunderstorms. The soil composition is characteristic of the Yilgarn Craton, featuring deep red loamy earths, shallow sands over granite, and hardpan plains. These soils naturally support open woodlands dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura) and other hardy acacia species, which are the primary target for regeneration in this project.

The project is facilitated by Select Carbon (now a subsidiary of Shell) and has already demonstrated successful abatement. notably, the project successfully completed a carbon abatement contract (CAC873037) with the Australian Government in August 2023, delivering over 18,000 ACCUs. The proponents, the Breese family, have been noted in regional reports for their commitment to regenerative agriculture and improving land function through vegetation management.