Westmere Regeneration Project

Westmere Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located north-west of Louth in the Bourke local government area of outback New South Wales. It was registered in September 2015 and covers an impressive 29,125.52 hectares, with variations made to the project area in 2016 to adjust the property boundaries.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve implementing new land management practices to allow native forests to naturally regenerate from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstocks and lignotubers. A standard requirement of this methodology is that the project land must have been cleared of vegetation, with regrowth demonstrably suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project having commenced.

The Bourke region famously represents the edge of the settled agricultural districts in New South Wales and is traditionally known for primary production, particularly sheep and cattle grazing. The area features a hot semi-arid climate with very low average annual rainfall, typically sitting around 330mm. The soils in this dry inland region generally consist of red Kandosols, Chromosols, and some Vertosols closer to the floodplains of the Darling River.

To achieve regeneration, the Parker family has committed to specific project activities, including the careful management of the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals. By effectively limiting stock pressures and managing pests, native trees and shrubs are able to recover, improving local habitat and ecosystem services. Interestingly, Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated by the Westmere Regeneration Project have been prominently purchased by major energy providers like AGL Energy to support their certified carbon-neutral electricity products. This demonstrates how carbon farming can provide a valuable alternative revenue stream that supports local outback graziers while restoring the landscape.