Kilcowera and Zenonie Forest Regeneration Project

Kilcowera and Zenonie Forest Regeneration Project is a human-induced regeneration project located approximately 90 kilometres south of Thargomindah in south-west Queensland. It was registered in August 2015 and covers a vast area of 79,068.32 hectares.

Human-induced regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, on land where vegetation was previously cleared and regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years. Standard requirements dictate the removal of suppression pressures to allow native trees to naturally regenerate and reach full forest cover. For this project, core activities include ceasing the mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth, managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, and humanely managing feral animals.

The Thargomindah and Paroo River catchment area is heavily utilised for large-scale cattle grazing and the pastoral industry. The region experiences a semi-arid to arid climate, with low and highly irregular rainfall averaging between 200 to 400 millimetres annually. The environmental landscape is characterised by mulga rangelands, low-relief sandplains, and claypans.

The project operates across the Kilcowera and Zenonie Stations, which have historically endured severe droughts, leading locals to nickname the broader south-west landscape "Heartbreak Corner". The project was originally established by pastoralists Greg and Toni Sherwin, who ran the properties as an organic working cattle station and farm stay for nearly 40 years before the proponent was varied to Vision Pastoral Company Pty Limited in early 2021. The project was initially contracted in November 2015 and successfully fulfilled its carbon abatement contract (CAC102270) in August 2026. Furthermore, Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated from this project have been sought after by high-profile corporate buyers, such as Sydney's Barangaroo precinct, to support their public carbon neutrality targets.