Urisino Regenerative Ecosystem Project

Urisino Regenerative Ecosystem Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Urisino Station, approximately 140km north-east of White Cliffs and 200km west of Bourke in outback New South Wales. It was registered in May 2014 and covers an expansive 77,863.88 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects establish permanent even-aged native forests by promoting the natural regeneration of native vegetation. This methodology involves changing land management practices, specifically by managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and humanely controlling feral animals. This allows native trees to regenerate from in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers on land where regrowth was previously suppressed for at least 10 years.

The region surrounding Urisino is traditionally known for large-scale pastoral leases focusing on sheep and cattle grazing, with the property previously owned by the famous pastoralist Sir Sidney Kidman. The area is classified as semi-arid with low rainfall, historically averaging around 230mm (9 inches) annually. Soils typically consist of the Urisino Sandplains' red sandy soils and grey/brown clays, which support drought-tolerant native vegetation such as mulga and bimble box.

Historically, the land suffered heavily from overgrazing by sheep and feral goats, making destocking a critical project activity. Interestingly, in January 2016, the Clean Energy Regulator required the proponent, Benefit Property Holdings Pty Ltd, to relinquish 2,796 ACCUs. Despite this early regulatory action, the project has been highly active and successfully completed a Commonwealth carbon contract in August 2021 after delivering 385,000 units of abatement.