Irwin Park and Lockesley Carbon Farm

Irwin Park and Lockesley Carbon Farm is a plantation forestry project located approximately 17km east of the coastal town of Dongara in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Registered in May 2023, the project spans a significant area of 4,502 hectares. The project is managed by Outback Carbon Pty Ltd, a Western Australian-based carbon farming developer.

The project operates under the Plantation Forestry methodology, which incentivizes the establishment of new plantation forests or the conversion of existing short-rotation plantations to long-rotation. Unlike environmental plantings which are permanent and not harvested, this methodology allows for the commercial harvesting of wood products. Carbon credits are generated based on the long-term average carbon stored in the trees and debris over the project's life, accounting for the cyclical harvest and replanting schedule.

The Irwin and Mingenew districts are traditionally known for broadacre agriculture, specifically mixed cropping (wheat, canola) and sheep grazing. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 350mm to 450mm. The landscape typically features sandplain soils and sandy loams, often associated with the Irwin River system which flows through the vicinity.

A notable administrative update occurred in May 2024, involving a variation to the project area where certain land parcels were removed, likely to refine the planting boundary or exclude unsuitable land. The inclusion of "Irwin Park" in the project title suggests the involvement of a historic or significant local grazing property, as the name is well-established in the district's agricultural history.