Curragh Regeneration Project

Curragh Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 75km northwest of Bourke in New South Wales. Registered in July 2015, the project covers a substantial area of 20,587 hectares. The project is situated within the Bourke Shire Council area, a region distinctively known for its remote pastoral stations and "Mulga country" landscapes.

The Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology focuses on regenerating native forests on land where vegetation has been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically by grazing or mechanical clearing. To achieve this, the project proponents, members of the Bailey family facilitated by Select Carbon, undertake activities such as ceasing mechanical destruction and managing grazing pressure. This allows existing rootstock and lignotubers in the soil to regenerate into a permanent even-aged native forest.

The surrounding region is part of the Mulga Lands bioregion, characterized by a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 300mm to 350mm. The landscape is dominated by red earth soils (Kandosols) and vegetation types such as Mulga (Acacia aneura), Poplar Box, and Beefwood. Land use in this area is primarily rangeland grazing for sheep, cattle, and goats, which historically suppressed the regrowth now being protected by the carbon project.

An interesting note on this project is the significant continuity of family ownership, with the Bailey family managing the regeneration. The project has undergone administrative updates, including a variation in 2021 to adjust the listed participants, reflecting the long-term nature of carbon commitments which often span 25 or 100 years.