Waverley Downs Regeneration Project

Waverley Downs Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Far West region of New South Wales. The massive 51,255-hectare project area is situated approximately 75km northwest of Wanaaring and south of the Queensland border near Hungerford. Registered in August 2015, the project operates within the Unincorporated Far West Area, a region traditionally dominated by extensive rangeland grazing of sheep, cattle, and goats.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects in this context involve allowing native vegetation to regenerate into permanent forest cover by ceasing suppression activities. For Waverley Downs, this specifically entails managing the timing and extent of grazing and stopping any mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth. The methodology requires that the land has "forest potential", meaning it can reach 20% canopy cover at a height of 2 meters, and that this potential was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement.

The environment in this part of the Mulga Lands bioregion is semi-arid to arid, typically receiving low and variable rainfall (approximately 250-300mm annually). The landscape is characterized by red earth and sandy loam soils, often supporting communities of Mulga (Acacia aneura), Bimble Box, and other native woody species resilient to drought.

In July 2023, the project underwent a variation in its methodology, moving from Compilation 1 to Compilation 3 of the HIR determination. This update often involves stricter adherence to the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) for estimating carbon sequestration, ensuring the project aligns with the most current scientific standards and regulatory requirements for "forest potential" and evidence gathering. The project is managed with the assistance of Climate Friendly Pty Ltd, a major service provider in the Australian carbon market.