Boorokup Restoration Project

Boorokup Restoration Project is an environmental planting project located near Cranbrook, approximately 10km north-west of the township in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Registered in March 2022, the project covers roughly 359 hectares of land previously used for agricultural purposes, such as cropping and grazing. The Great Southern region is a significant agricultural hub known for mixed farming (sheep and wheat) but is also recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot containing unique flora.

The project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings" methodology. This involves establishing permanent native vegetation, either mixed species or mallee, on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. To generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), the planting must be managed to achieve "forest cover," defined as trees reaching a height of at least 2 metres and a crown cover of 20%. The abatement is modelled using the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM), which estimates carbon sequestration based on the specific location, soil, and species mix.

Environmentally, the Cranbrook area experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Rainfall typically ranges between 400mm and 600mm annually. The soils in this region are often characterised as grey deep sandy duplexes or gravelly soils, which can be susceptible to salinity and waterlogging, issues this project specifically aims to mitigate.

This project is notable for its funding through the Western Australian Government's Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program (CF-LRP). It aims to deliver significant co-benefits beyond carbon sequestration, including reducing soil salinity and connecting fragmented remnant vegetation. The project involves collaboration with the Binalup Rangers for seed collection and ecological works, ensuring the integration of Traditional Owner knowledge and economic participation.