Lakemere Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Lakemere Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located at Lakemere Station, approximately 100km west of Bourke in the Mulga Lands bioregion of New South Wales. It was registered in July 2015 and covers an area of 18,962.49 ha. The general land use in the Bourke region is pastoralism, primarily mixed farming operations focusing on cattle and sheep grazing.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. Under standard methodology requirements, these projects must occur on land that was previously cleared of native vegetation and where regrowth has been continually suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. The ultimate goal is to remove suppression pressures so the forest can reach a mature state with a canopy cover of at least 20% and trees reaching at least 2 metres in height.

The environment west of Bourke is characterised by a semi-arid rainfall classification. The local soil profile generally consists of red soil interspersed with stony ridges and low-lying country plains. These soils are typical of the Mulga Lands and are well-adapted to support robust, drought-tolerant native shrublands and woodlands once agricultural grazing pressures are managed.

The project activities focus on the management of the timing and the extent of livestock grazing, as well as the humane management of feral animals like goats. The project is operated by the Strachan family in partnership with the proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited (part of GreenCollar). Introducing a carbon project has provided the family with a diversified income stream, relieving financial pressure and enabling them to reinvest in their property. By upgrading fencing and watering points, they have successfully allowed natural forest regeneration to coexist alongside their agricultural enterprise. Dominant native species successfully regenerating on the station include Mulga (Acacia aneura), Senna artemisioides, Eremophila sturtii, and Dodonaea viscosa.