Stanbert Regeneration Project

The Stanbert Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 75km northeast of Bourke in northern New South Wales. Registered in August 2015, the project covers a substantial 23,459 hectares on the "Stanbert" pastoral station. The property sits within the Bourke Shire Council area, situated between the Culgoa and Birrie Rivers, a region characterized by its remoteness and vast rangelands.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which involves regenerating permanent even-aged native forests. Unlike environmental planting, this method does not involve planting new trees. Instead, it focuses on land management changes, specifically the control of livestock grazing and feral animals (such as goats), to allow existing seed banks and suppressed rootstock to regenerate naturally. For a project of this size in the rangelands, this typically involves installing new fencing and managing stocking rates to reduce pressure on young vegetation.

The local environment is defined by a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 300mm to 350mm. The "Stanbert Land System" in this area is characterized by broad drainage plains with soils consisting largely of red earths and sands, supporting vegetation such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Poplar Box woodlands. The region is predominantly used for grazing sheep and cattle, though high grazing pressure has historically suppressed native forest regrowth, making it an ideal candidate for HIR carbon projects.

An interesting facet of this project is its contribution to the corporate voluntary market; corporate reports indicate that Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated by Stanbert have been purchased and surrendered by major industrial entities, such as Orica, to offset their operational emissions. The project is managed by the proponents Brian and Leanne Bambrick, with the assistance of carbon service provider Climate Friendly.