Warroora Station

Warroora Station is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) carbon project located in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, approximately 60km south of Coral Bay and 177km north of Carnarvon. Registered in March 2021, the project encompasses a vast area of 105,209 hectares along the spectacular Ningaloo Coast. The property operates as a working cattle station and a popular eco-tourism destination, known for its proximity to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.

The region is characterized by a semi-arid to arid climate with variable rainfall that is often dependent on seasonal cyclones. The landscape features coastal dunes, sandy loams, and alluvial plains containing clay and gravel. Historically a sheep station, the property transitioned to cattle grazing in 2016 following challenges with wild dogs. The land use is now a mix of sustainable pastoralism (grazing Droughtmaster cattle) and low-impact tourism, which aligns with the carbon project's goals of managing vegetation cover.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology. This involves regenerating permanent native forest by managing the "suppressors" that previously prevented trees from growing, in this case, domestic livestock. By controlling the timing and extent of grazing, the proponent aims to allow native vegetation (such as local wattle or eucalypt species) to regenerate naturally from in-situ seed sources and rootstock. This restoration of forest cover sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

An interesting facet of this project is its dual-purpose land management. The station, run by the Horak family since 1994, balances commercial cattle operations with wilderness conservation. The project area includes significant coastal frontage, meaning the carbon sequestration activities likely contribute to stabilizing coastal soils and protecting the biodiversity of the adjacent marine park.