North Comongin Regeneration Project

North Comongin Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located at North Comongin Station, approximately 17km north of Quilpie in South West Queensland. It was registered in September 2015 and covers 45,285.90 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests on land that has previously been cleared. The methodology requires changing land management practices to allow native vegetation to regenerate from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, in areas where regrowth has been suppressed for at least 10 years.

The Quilpie region is known for large-scale rural operations, primarily sheep and cattle grazing, as well as opal mining and oil and gas exploration. The area is a semi-arid environment characterized by low and highly variable rainfall. The soils are generally low-fertility red, brown, and grey cracking clays (Vertosols), alongside areas of sandy loams.

This project aims to restore native vegetation by carefully managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and controlling feral animals in a humane manner. Interestingly, alongside their carbon farming efforts, the proponents Jon and Kerri Mooring have also installed Natural Sequence Farming earthworks, such as low-profile contour spreader banks, across the property to maximize water retention, mitigate drought impacts, and improve pasture groundcover.