Mulga South Project

Mulga South Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located approximately 100km south-south-east of Quilpie in South West Queensland. It was registered in April 2016 and covers 48,803.89 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve assisting the natural regeneration of native forests by ceasing activities that suppress tree growth, allowing native vegetation to eventually achieve a forest cover, which requires reaching at least 20 percent canopy cover and a height of two metres. For the Mulga South Project, this involves ceasing the mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth and strictly managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing.

The Quilpie region is predominantly rural and is well known for extensive cattle and sheep grazing operations, as well as opal mining. The environment experiences a semi-arid climate characterized by low, unreliable rainfall. Local soils generally consist of red sandy soils (Kandosols) alongside heavier clay plains that are typically found in the channel country.

This project establishes permanent native forests from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. Originally registered as the "Climate Friendly Aggregation Project No. 2", it was officially renamed to the Mulga South Project in February 2020. In March 2024, the proponent was updated from St. John Smith and Corporate Carbon Solutions Pty Ltd to solely St. John Smith, with Climate Friendly Pty Ltd continuing as an agent. Carbon credits generated from this project have been purchased and retired by major Australian corporations, such as the beverage company Lion Pty Ltd, to help meet their Climate Active carbon neutral commitments.