Boobera Carbon project

Boobera Carbon project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Boobera Station along the Paroo River, situated north of Cunnamulla in the Paroo local government area of South West Queensland. It was registered in September 2015 and covers an area of 26,951 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects aim to establish permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth had been suppressed for at least 10 years. The standard requirements for this methodology involve removing the suppressors of regrowth to allow native trees to reach forest cover. For this specific project, activities include the cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth, the humane management of feral animals, and managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing.

The Cunnamulla and Paroo region is primarily known for broadacre cattle and sheep grazing operations. The regional environment is classified as a hot semi-arid climate, experiencing low average annual rainfall of around 300-400mm. The local landscape features alluvial woodlands and mulga scrublands, with dominant soil types consisting of cracking clays (Vertosols) along the floodplains, alongside sandy and stony soils (Tenosols) and massive red earths (Kandosols).

Interestingly, the Boobera Station property had been family-owned since 1920 before being listed for sale by Colliers as a combined "cattle and carbon" property. The carbon project is estimated to eliminate over 195,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime and aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. According to public records, a variation to the project's participant name occurred in February 2021, changing from Andrew Higgins to Tacora Agri Pty Ltd. Furthermore, its original fixed delivery Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC102290) with the Australian Government was successfully completed in April 2021.