Byzantium Induced Regeneration of Native Forest Project

Byzantium Induced Regeneration of Native Forest Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Byzantium Station, approximately 82km southwest of Mitchell in the Maranoa region of South West Queensland. It was registered in April 2016 and covers an area of 20,410.30 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve implementing land management activities that allow native forests to naturally regenerate on land where vegetation was previously cleared or suppressed. Standard requirements mandate that the regenerated forest must have the potential to achieve a 20% crown canopy cover and reach a height of at least 2 metres.

The Maranoa region is heavily characterised by its agricultural sector, predominantly featuring commercial cattle and sheep grazing operations. The environment around Mitchell typically experiences a semi-arid, subtropical climate with summer-dominant rainfall, averaging around 560mm annually. Soils in this area vary but predominantly feature a mix of texture-contrast soils such as chromosols, kandosols with sandy-loam surfaces, and vertosols (cracking clays), which are native to the Brigalow Belt and Mulga Lands.

To facilitate native regrowth, the Byzantium project undertakes several eligible activities, including the cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth, the management of non-native plants and feral animals, and the careful management of the timing and extent of livestock grazing. The project proponent, Woolabah Pty Ltd as the Trustee for the J Hanly Family Trust, concurrently operates a commercial cattle grazing enterprise on the property. The carbon project specifically establishes permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources (including rootstock and lignotubers) on land where regrowth was actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to commencement. Interestingly, Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated from this project have been purchased and surrendered by major corporate entities, including AGL Energy and Perennial Partners, to offset their operational corporate greenhouse gas emissions.