El Trune Regrowth Project

El Trune Regrowth Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on El Trune Station in central-western New South Wales, situated in the Bogan local government area. Based on its coordinates, it is located approximately 75km northeast of the major outback mining town of Cobar and northwest of Nyngan. Registered on April 1, 2015, the project spans a significant area of 6,517.86 hectares. The surrounding region is defined by a strong agricultural and pastoral heritage, with the predominant land use being sheep and cattle grazing. The environment falls under a warm, semi-arid climate classification with relatively low annual rainfall averaging roughly 350mm. Typical soils in this part of the Cobar Peneplain consist of outback red earths and sandy loams.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by establishing permanent, even-aged native forests on land that was previously cleared of vegetation, and where natural regrowth had been suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. Standard methodology requirements dictate that landholders must assist regeneration using in-situ seed sources, such as existing rootstock and lignotubers. To achieve this, the El Trune Regrowth Project actively manages the timing and extent of livestock grazing and implements humane management of feral animals. By ceasing these suppressive activities, native vegetation is allowed to naturally recover.

There have been a few administrative variations throughout the project's lifespan. The proponent role originally transitioned from Anne Dayment to Holly Dayment and Red Soil Ag Pty Ltd in 2021, and subsequently to Dilga Forbes Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Betland Family Superannuation Fund in January 2022. Select Carbon Pty Ltd is also officially engaged as the project agent. On a fascinating ecological note, historical biological surveys have documented sightings and the collection of specimens of the elusive Kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), a rare, mouse-sized carnivorous marsupial, on El Trune Station during the 1960s and 1970s. This highlights the considerable potential for biodiversity and habitat restoration that these carbon projects support in arid pastoral regions.