El Trune Regrowth Project

El Trune Regrowth Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located near Coolabah, approximately 70km northeast of Cobar in NSW. It was registered in April 2015 and covers an area of 6,517.86 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests by changing land management practices to allow native vegetation to regenerate from in-situ seed sources. To be successful, the methodology requires the vegetation to reach a forest cover of at least 20% canopy cover and 2 metres in height.

The Cobar and Bogan Shire region is largely known for sheep and cattle grazing on pastoral leases. The environment is considered semi-arid with low rainfall, and the soils are generally red earths, clays, and sandy loams.

To achieve regeneration on this property, the project focuses on managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals. Interestingly, this assisted regeneration (from rootstock and lignotubers) targets land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth had been actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project starting. The project has undergone participant changes since its inception, initially involving participants such as Anne Dayment before being transferred in 2022 to Dilga Forbes Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Betland Family Superannuation Fund.