Paroo River Ecosystem Restoration Project

The Paroo River Ecosystem Restoration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 40km northeast of the remote outback settlement of Wanaaring in north-western New South Wales. Registered on June 9, 2016, the project covers a substantial area of 25,202.62 hectares. The project operates within the Mulga Lands bioregion, an area traditionally used for extensive grazing of sheep and cattle on pastoral leases.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating permanent native forests by identifying and stopping activities that have previously suppressed growth. In this specific project, the suppression mechanisms identified were unmanaged grazing by livestock and the presence of feral animals. By managing the timing and extent of grazing and humanely controlling feral populations, the project allows native vegetation to recover and sequester carbon.

The environment in the Paroo River catchment is classified as arid to semi-arid, characterized by low and unpredictable rainfall. The landscape features a mix of red earth soils, sandy plains, and claypans found on floodplains. Since the project's inception, the reduction in grazing pressure has encouraged the regeneration of native species such as mulga, bloodwood, ironwood, bimble box, punty bush, and hop bush.

Field observations have noted significant biodiversity improvements alongside the returning forest cover. The landholders, identified in reports as the Leigo family, have reported the return of native wildlife including hopping mice, boobook owls, and tawny frogmouths. Additionally, corporate reports indicate that Woodside Energy has purchased Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated by this project to offset their own emissions. The project proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited, is a subsidiary of the GreenCollar Group.