Aqua Downs Station Regeneration Project

Aqua Downs Station Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Aqua Downs Station, approximately 130km southeast of Charleville in south-west Queensland. It falls within the Murweh local government area. The project was registered in August 2015 and covers an initial area of 24,116.28 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration. The standard requirements specify that regeneration must occur on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been suppressed for at least 10 years. Landowners achieve this by ceasing mechanical or chemical destruction or suppression of regrowth, allowing native trees to naturally regenerate from in-situ seed sources such as rootstock and lignotubers.

The south-west Queensland region around Charleville is characterised by a semi-arid climate with historically low and variable average rainfall. Typical of the Mulga Lands bioregion, the local soils generally consist of red earths, sandy loams, and areas of clay. The general land use in this region is predominantly pastoral, heavily focused on sheep and cattle grazing on native vegetation.

This carbon project was integrated into the proponents' family cattle operation to assist in preparing for drought conditions by proactively managing and retaining vegetation during good seasons. Over the years, the project has undergone several key variations. In December 2016, a variation removed some listed areas from the project footprint. In March 2021, the primary proponents officially changed from William John Douglas and Cecily Patrice Douglas to Rowan William Douglas and Jessica Gaye Douglas. Furthermore, in August 2023, the project method was updated to Compilation No. 3 of the 2013 methodology determination. Climate Friendly Pty Ltd is also an active participant, serving as the project agent.