Gambolalley Regeneration Project

Gambolalley Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Gambolalley Station, approximately 80km northwest of Cobar in New South Wales. It was registered in August 2015 and covers an area of 33,125.88 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration on land that was previously cleared and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years. This regeneration is achieved by changing land management practices. In the case of Gambolalley Regeneration Project, the primary project activity involves the humane management of feral animals to allow in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, to naturally regenerate.

The Cobar region is traditionally known for extensive pastoral and agricultural operations, primarily sheep and cattle grazing, alongside historical and active mining operations. The area experiences a semi-arid climate characterised by highly variable annual rainfall with a median of roughly 390mm. The soils on the local plains are predominantly red Chromosols and grey or brown Vertosols (clays) that feature distinct shrink-swell properties.

In addition to the main project activities, the project's parameters have been adjusted over time; in December 2015, a variation was approved to remove certain areas from the registered project area, and in September 2019, the participant list was updated to list Charles Allan Mitchell as the sole proponent. Notably, the proponent Charles Mitchell is a recognised local hero. In 2016, he was awarded the Australian Bravery Medal (BM) for his courageous actions in March 2014, when he sustained burns while rescuing a trapped driver from a burning, crashed vehicle near Dubbo, NSW.