Nortongong Biodiversity Restoration Project

Nortongong Biodiversity Restoration Project is an environmental planting project located at the 'Nortongong' aggregation near Gulargambone, approximately 15km north of the township and 45km south of Coonamble in the Central West region of New South Wales. Registered in May 2025, the project originally covered a substantial area of 4,597 hectares, although a variation in November 2025 removed specific areas from the project footprint, likely to refine the boundary between carbon plantings and active agricultural zones.

The project utilizes the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings methodology (FullCAM), which involves establishing permanent native forests on land that has been clear of forest cover for at least five years. These projects typically require planting a mix of local tree and shrub species at a density sufficient to achieve forest canopy cover, generally interpreted as a stocking density of at least 200 to 400 stems per hectare depending on the specific forest potential of the site. The carbon abatement is calculated using the FullCAM model, which simulates tree growth based on local climate and soil data.

The region surrounding Gulargambone and Coonamble is a major agricultural hub, primarily utilized for mixed farming operations including wheat cropping and sheep or cattle grazing. The environment is classified as semi-arid to temperate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 500mm to 550mm. The soil profile in this area is distinct, often featuring heavy grey and brown Vertosols (cracking clays) on the alluvial plains, which are highly fertile but moisture-dependent, transitioning to red Chromosols and lighter loams on the ridges and slopes.

A notable aspect of this project is its proponent, Wilga Farming (Australia) Pty Ltd. This entity is an institutional investment platform managed by Gunn Agri Partners and backed by the Australian Government's Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and the Canadian pension fund CDPQ. The project serves as a strategic example of "integrated natural capital," where large-scale biodiversity and carbon restoration activities are run alongside commercial farming operations to demonstrate low-emissions agriculture.