Flanders Carbon Project

Flanders Carbon Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located near Wyandra, approximately 120km south of Charleville in southwest Queensland. It was registered in April 2016 and covers an expansive 68,174.31 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. To meet standard methodology requirements, project proponents must actively intervene to stop activities that suppress tree growth, allowing the vegetation to regenerate and achieve native forest status, typically defined as reaching at least 20% crown canopy cover and a minimum height of two metres.

The Wyandra and Cunnamulla region is predominantly used for large-scale outback pastoral operations, specifically extensive sheep and cattle grazing. The environment is classified as semi-arid, experiencing low annual rainfall of approximately 376mm. The terrain forms part of the Mulga Lands bioregion, with soil types largely consisting of red earths, sandy loams, and prominent clay, notably contributing to the ecologically significant Wyandra-Cunnamulla Claypans Aggregation.

This project was established on land that had been heavily cleared of vegetation and where regrowth was actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to commencement. To promote forest recovery, the core project activities include the complete cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth, alongside the careful management of the timing and extent of livestock grazing.

Interestingly, the project demonstrates a strong link between carbon farming and biodiversity conservation. Proponent Paniri Ventures manages land portfolios in this region, such as the former sheep grazing property Ardgour Station, that were heavily destocked in 2016 due to severe drought conditions. In 2022, the Queensland Government formally declared the 8,200-hectare Ardgour Station a protected Nature Refuge to safeguard its ephemeral wetlands, securing funding to remove internal fencing to aid wildlife movement. Additionally, the Flanders Carbon Project underwent a major administrative expansion in 2018 when project areas and 37,422 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) were transferred from the neighbouring Milhouse Regeneration project.