Yarmouth Regeneration Project

The Yarmouth Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Yarmouth Station, approximately 130 kilometres south of Charleville and 100 kilometres northeast of Cunnamulla in southwest Queensland. Registered in April 2016, the project covers a substantial area of roughly 31,039 hectares. The property is situated within the Paroo Shire local government area, a region traditionally dominated by pastoral leases used for sheep and cattle grazing.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects in this context involve implementing land management changes to facilitate the regrowth of native forests, specifically allowing vegetation suppressed by historical activities to recover. For the Yarmouth project, this is achieved primarily through the management of grazing timing and extent. By controlling livestock pressure, the proponents aim to allow in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, to regenerate into a permanent even-aged native forest.

The environment of this region is characteristic of the Mulga Lands bioregion, defined by a semi-arid climate with variable rainfall generally averaging between 400mm and 500mm annually. The terrain typically features red massive earths (Kandosols) and sandy loams, which support iconic vegetation such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Poplar Box woodlands. These soil types are low in fertility and hold water poorly, making vegetation retention critical for preventing erosion and maintaining landscape health.

An interesting aspect of this project is its scale and management; it is overseen by the proponents Michael and Sally Moody with the assistance of Select Carbon Pty Ltd, a major carbon service provider now a subsidiary of Shell. The project has successfully issued carbon credits, contributing to the broader Emissions Reduction Fund's sequestration targets. Historical records also indicate Yarmouth Station has been an active pastoral property since the late 19th century, with early infrastructure such as artesian bores playing a key role in its development.