'Curraweena Regeneration Project

Curraweena Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Curraweena Station, approximately 90km north of Cobar and 70km south of Bourke in western New South Wales. It was registered in April 2016 and covers a significant area of 19,110.70 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. To qualify under this specific methodology, the land must have been previously cleared of vegetation and had its regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. The project’s standard requirements mandate the active removal of suppressors to allow native forests to regenerate; at Curraweena Station, this is achieved by carefully managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and carrying out the humane management of feral animals.

The region surrounding Cobar is traditionally known for mixed farming and extensive pastoral operations, including sheep, cattle, and goat grazing. The environment is distinctly semi-arid, receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately 350mm. The local landscape consists of flat to slightly undulating country with red sandy loam soils, which support native semi-arid woodlands containing mulga, rosewood, curran bush, and various native grasses.

Curraweena Station itself is a property rich in outback history. It was once an important change station for the historic Cobb & Co mail coaches. The property features a remarkably preserved 1890-era abandoned stone shearing shed and one of the largest underground rainwater tanks in New South Wales, hand-dug by Chinese labourers in the 19th century. Today, alongside its historical intrigue and pastoral legacy, the property is actively participating in carbon farming to restore its native vegetation.