Pingine Regeneration Project

The Pingine Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Pingine Station in South West Queensland, approximately 125km west of Charleville and 75km east of Quilpie. Registered in May 2015, the project covers a total area of 23,703 hectares, with a Carbon Estimation Area (CEA) of approximately 16,846 hectares. The region is traditionally pastoral, primarily used for sheep and cattle grazing, which historically suppressed the regrowth of native vegetation.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This involves regenerating permanent native forests on land where vegetation had previously been cleared and regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years. The primary activity is the management of grazing pressure, controlling the timing and extent of livestock access, to allow native seedlings to establish and grow into forest cover. The project relies on in-situ seed sources like rootstock and lignotubers rather than active planting.

Environmentally, the project is situated in the Mulga Lands bioregion, characterised by a semi-arid climate. The nearest major weather station in Charleville records a mean annual rainfall of approximately 490mm. The landscape typically features red earth soils and is dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands and other native shrublands. These soil types are generally low in fertility but support robust native vegetation when grazing pressure is reduced.

An interesting aspect of this project is the involvement of Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd (EVE) as a participant since 2018. EVE is a specialised consultancy known for managing wildlife populations, particularly koalas, suggesting the project may integrate specific biodiversity conservation goals alongside carbon sequestration. The proponent, Halo Nature Reserves Pty Ltd, holds an active carbon abatement contract with the Australian Government, and historical records indicate the property was on the market in 2014 prior to the project's registration.