Murgoo Station, Murchison HIR Aggregation

Murgoo Station, Murchison HIR Aggregation is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Murgoo Station, approximately 112km north of Yalgoo in the Mid West region of Western Australia. It was registered in August 2020 and covers an expansive 203,399.13 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration. This methodology relies on in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where natural regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. Standard requirements for this project include restricting or excluding livestock, managing the timing and extent of grazing, controlling non-native weeds, and humanely managing feral animals to facilitate natural forest recovery.

The Murchison region is dominated by large pastoral leases historically utilized for sheep and cattle grazing, alongside significant mining operations for gold, iron ore, and nickel. The local environment features an arid climate characterized by highly variable, predominantly winter rainfall, averaging approximately 201 mm annually. The landscape and soils typically consist of flat colluvium and alluvial plains with red-brown soils, red desert sandplains, and clayey drainage zones that support native saltbush, bluebush, and low mulga woodlands.

Historically, Murgoo Station was established in 1873 by Edward and Frank Wittenoom and holds high heritage significance as one of the oldest stations in the district. The property became well-known as a prominent Merino sheep stud and as the traditional venue for the Murgoo Horse Races. Its homestead also previously served as a vital communication hub, functioning as a post office and telephone exchange. Today, managed by the proponent Australian Integrated Carbon Financial Services Pty Ltd, the property is blending this rich pastoral history with modern carbon sequestration and ecological restoration.