North West Regeneration Project

North West Regeneration Project (originally registered as Birrimba/The Cato Regeneration Project) is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located approximately 15km northeast of Enngonia and 100km north of Bourke in the Far West region of New South Wales. It was registered in August 2015 and covers 21,251.40 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration. The methodology requires project proponents to implement specific land management activities that allow in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, to naturally regenerate into a permanent forest on land where regrowth had been actively suppressed for at least 10 years.

The surrounding Enngonia and Bourke area is dominated by primary production, specifically extensive sheep and cattle grazing operations. The region experiences a semi-arid climate characterised by low, variable rainfall and high evaporation. The local soils generally possess moderate to low agricultural capability, making the land most suitable for grazing native pastures rather than intensive cropping.

This project aims to achieve native forest regeneration by ceasing any mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth. Key management activities include carefully managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and humanely controlling feral animals. Interestingly, public registry records show that the Clean Energy Regulator accepted Enforceable Undertakings from project participants Climate Friendly Pty Ltd (from September 2016 to December 2017) and Australian Carbon Traders Pty Ltd (from October 2016 to August 2018) in relation to this project. The project also officially changed its name to the North West Regeneration Project in October 2015, and expanded its participant list to include both Robert and Scott Mudford shortly after.