Brindingabba Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Brindingabba Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a human-induced regeneration project located in the semi-arid outback of New South Wales, approximately 175km northwest of Bourke near the Queensland border. It was registered on June 5, 2015, and covers an expansive 33,464.97 hectares.

The Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) of a Permanent Even-Aged Native Forest methodology involves altering land management practices to facilitate the regrowth of native forests on land where vegetation was cleared and regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years. Standard requirements include regenerating forest from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, by ceasing destructive or suppressing activities. At Brindingabba, the primary project activities focus on the careful management of the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals like goats and pigs to remove pressure on regenerating vegetation.

Situated in the Mulga Lands bioregion, the area surrounding the project has historically been utilized for pastoral operations and cattle grazing. The region is classified as semi-arid, experiencing typically low and sporadic rainfall. The outback environment features soils largely consisting of red desert clays, sandy loams, and alluvial floodplains linked to ephemeral wetland systems such as the Cuttaburra Channels and Yantabulla Swamp.

Interestingly, the project area and surrounding pastoral land were acquired by the NSW Government and officially reserved as the Brindingabba National Park in 2022 to protect rich biodiversity and important cultural sites for the traditional custodians, the Budjiti and Kurnu Baakandji people. Reflecting this major transition from a private grazing property to public conservation land, the project has undergone several administrative changes. Its participant name transitioned from Terra Carbon Pty Limited to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in late 2022, and eventually to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in 2025. Additionally, the project's methodology was updated to Compilation No. 3 in September 2023 to maintain current standard compliance.