Inkerman Downs Regeneration Project

Inkerman Downs Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located at the Inkerman Downs property near Yantabulla, approximately 170km northwest of Bourke in outback New South Wales. It was registered on April 7, 2015, and covers an extensive area of 17,053.66 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration of a Permanent Even-Aged Native Forest projects involve implementing specific land management activities to encourage the natural regrowth of native trees from existing seed sources, rootstock, or lignotubers. A standard requirement of this methodology is that the land must have been historically cleared of vegetation and regrowth actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement, with the ultimate goal of allowing the forest to reach a permanent, dense canopy cover.

The Bourke and Yantabulla region is situated within the Mulga Lands bioregion, which is characterized by a semi-arid climate with very low and highly variable rainfall. The soils in this region are predominantly infertile red sands, sandy loams, and occasional laterite and clay plains. Due to the harsh environment and remote location, the primary land use across this region is large-scale pastoral farming, particularly sheep and cattle grazing.

To establish the permanent native forest on the property, the project activities dictate the immediate cessation of any mechanical or chemical destruction of the regenerating native vegetation. Additionally, the project requires carefully managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and controlling feral animals in a humane manner to ensure new saplings are not destroyed. An interesting administrative note is that the project was originally registered with multiple participants, including Select Carbon Pty Ltd and Anthony Bailey, but underwent an official variation in December 2021 to list Karen Bailey as the sole project proponent.