Curragh Regeneration Project

Curragh Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located near Fords Bridge, approximately 70km north-west of Bourke in outback New South Wales. It was registered in July 2015 and covers 20,586.83 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests by changing land management practices to allow native vegetation to naturally regenerate. For this project, the primary activities include ceasing the mechanical and chemical destruction or suppression of regrowth, and managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing. These practices allow native forests to regenerate from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, on land where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing.

The Bourke region is characterised by a semi-arid climate with low average annual rainfall. Agricultural land in the surrounding area is predominantly used for broadacre pastoral activities such as sheep and cattle grazing, with some cotton farming occurring closer to the Darling River. The soils in this outback region are typically red-brown earths (Chromosols) and Kandosols, with cracking clays (Vertosols) present on floodplains.

The project is operated by Charles and Karen Bailey on Curragh Station, a pastoral property with ties to Gingkin Agricultural Holdings. In November 2015, the project secured a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC102204) with the Clean Energy Regulator to deliver an original commitment of 343,018 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the government. In December 2021, the proponent structure was formally updated from Anthony, Karen, and Charles Bailey to just Karen and Charles Bailey.