Wirchilleba Soil Carbon Project

Wirchilleba Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located on Wirchilleba Station, approximately 111km south of Cobar and 53km north of Mount Hope in central New South Wales. It was registered in March 2025 and covers an active project area of 5,238.58 hectares.

Soil carbon projects operating under the Measurement and Models methodology involve implementing new or materially altered agricultural management activities to store organic carbon in the soil. The method requires strict baseline soil sampling, followed by subsequent physical soil extractions and/or modelling to accurately measure the increase in organic carbon over time.

The central New South Wales region around Cobar is a semi-arid environment known primarily for extensive sheep and cattle grazing, dryland farming, and mining operations. The area experiences typically low rainfall, and the soils on the property range from heavy red clays to sandy loams.

This project aims to build soil carbon by altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing to improve soil health and vegetation cover. It will also re-establish pastures through seeding, use legume species in its systems, and retain stubble after crop harvests. Interestingly, the 8,419-hectare Wirchilleba Station was sold in late 2023 for approximately $5.5 million prior to the carbon project being registered, and the project proponent, Manuka (Cobar) Pty Ltd, is a subsidiary of Manuka Resources Ltd, a mining company that operates the nearby Wonawinta Silver Mine.