Richmond Regeneration Project

The Richmond Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 25 kilometers south of the township of Bourke in the semi-arid rangelands of New South Wales. Registered in September 2015, the project covers a significant area of 3,413 hectares on land historically utilized for grazing operations. The project is situated within the Bourke Shire, a region characterised by its vast open plains and pastoral history.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating permanent native forests on land where vegetation has been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically due to agricultural activities. To achieve this, the project proponent implements specific management changes, such as ceasing mechanical clearing, managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, and controlling feral animals (such as goats) that damage young regrowth. The goal is to allow in-situ seed sources and rootstock to regenerate into a forest that achieves specific canopy cover and height requirements over time.

The environment in this region of North West NSW is classified as semi-arid, with rainfall generally averaging below 550mm annually. The landscape typically features red earth soils (Red Chromosols) and grey/brown clays (Vertosols), which support native vegetation communities such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Poplar Box woodlands when not suppressed.

An interesting aspect of this project is its administrative history; the proponent responsibility was transferred from John William Thatcher to Kassiotis Investments Pty Ltd in late 2022. The project is managed with the assistance of Select Carbon Pty Ltd (now a subsidiary of Shell) and holds a Carbon Abatement Contract with the Australian Government, committing it to deliver over 90,000 tonnes of carbon abatement.