Arbon - Tooligie - Human Induced Regeneration

Arbon - Tooligie - Human Induced Regeneration is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located at Tooligie on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, approximately 84km north of Port Lincoln. It was registered in December 2013 and covers a project area of 6211.72 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve the regeneration of permanent even-aged native forests through strategic changes in land management. This typically requires ceasing activities that suppress regrowth, such as mechanical clearing, chemical destruction, or overgrazing, so the land can naturally regenerate. To meet standard methodology requirements and be credited as a native forest, the vegetation must eventually achieve a minimum of 20% crown cover and consist of trees capable of reaching at least 2 metres in height.

The Tooligie and wider Eyre Peninsula region is well known for agricultural land uses, predominantly mixed farming operations that include sheep grazing and the cropping of cereals like wheat and barley. The environmental conditions in the region are semi-arid, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 385mm to 400mm. The typical soil types in this area are texture-contrast soils, commonly consisting of loamy sand or siliceous sand over clay loam, as well as calcareous loams.

This project establishes permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was cleared of vegetation and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. The core project activity is the cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction, and the suppression, of this regrowth.

Interestingly, this project has undergone multiple variations to its project area over the years (in 2014, 2015, and 2025) and a change in proponent. Originally registered to Andrew and Debra Arbon, the proponent was changed to Terra Carbon Pty Limited, an entity associated with the major carbon project developer GreenCollar, in September 2015. The project is frequently cited in case studies and media reports as a successful example on the Eyre Peninsula where tree cover has materially increased. According to reports, the regenerating native vegetation has led to a proliferation of wildflowers, improved water retention for better drought resilience, and an increase in native wildlife. Furthermore, the additional income generated from the carbon project has reportedly been invested back into the local economy through sourcing machinery and hiring local contractors.