Inverness Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Inverness Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located northeast of Bourke in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains bioregions of New South Wales. It was registered in July 2015 and covers an area of 18,785.87 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests by changing land management practices to allow in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, to naturally regenerate. Standard requirements for this methodology involve demonstrating that the land was previously cleared of vegetation and that regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. Proponents achieve regeneration by implementing activities like managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, and humanely controlling feral animal populations so that native trees can survive and reach forest canopy cover.

The Bourke region is generally classified as semi-arid, subject to prolonged dry spells, and is traditionally known for extensive sheep and cattle grazing. The project area features an environmental mix of sandy red country and flat plains of rich black soil. These soils support native vegetation species observed on the property, such as Eremophila sturtii, Eremophila mitchellii (Rosewood), Dodonaea viscosa, Eucalyptus largiflorens (Black Box), and Acacia cambagei (Gidgee).

Interestingly, this project spans across the Inverness and Culgoa properties, which host a successful Merino sheep operation run by local farmers Colin and Christine Payton. Facing severe land degradation and extra grazing pressure from feral goats, the farmers used the carbon project to invest in trapping and fencing infrastructure, drastically reducing grazing pressure and allowing the mixed native forest to sustainably regrow. The alternative carbon income proved particularly helpful during tough drought periods by boosting cashflow and maintaining their farming operations. The project was developed in partnership with Terra Carbon Pty Limited, a major Australian carbon developer in which the global investment firm KKR & Co. acquired a 49.9% stake for AUD $100 million in April 2020.