Byzantium Induced Regeneration of Native Forest Project

The Byzantium Induced Regeneration of Native Forest Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the Maranoa region of southern Queensland. Specifically, the project area is situated on the "Byzantium" pastoral station, approximately 100 kilometers north of the town of Bollon and 80 kilometers south-west of Mitchell. Registered in April 2016, the project covers a significant landholding of 20,410 hectares. The region is predominantly characterized by grazing land use, with local properties traditionally operating sheep and cattle stations on the vast semi-arid plains.

This project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology, which credits landholders for regenerating native forests on land where vegetation had previously been suppressed for at least 10 years. Unlike environmental planting projects that involve active seeding, HIR relies on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers. To achieve this, the proponent, Woolabah Pty Ltd (Trustee for the J Hanly Family Trust), undertakes activities such as the cessation of mechanical clearing and the active management of grazing pressure. The goal is to allow native vegetation to recover and eventually achieve forest cover status, defined as trees reaching over two meters in height with at least 20% canopy cover.

The environmental context of the Maranoa region is defined by a semi-arid climate with variable rainfall, typically averaging between 400mm and 500mm annually. The landscape features the distinctive red earth and clay soils common to the Mulga Lands bioregion. These soil types support the growth of acacia woodlands (Mulga) and other native shrubs, which are the primary target for regeneration in this carbon project. The project holds an active carbon abatement contract with the Australian Government, secured during the April 2016 auction, to deliver carbon credits over a ten-year period.