DAC-2016-01

DAC-2016-01 is a Native Forest from Managed Regrowth project located on the 'Marlee Downs' property, approximately 165km southwest of Mitchell and southeast of Charleville in the semi-arid rangelands of Southern Queensland. The project was registered in November 2016 and covers an area of 6,235.21 hectares, though historical project estimates have cited the active carbon estimation area at 3,969 hectares. The surrounding Maranoa and Murweh region is historically known for pastoral land uses, primarily broadacre beef cattle breeding and backgrounding operations.

Native Forest from Managed Regrowth projects involve establishing permanent native forests by allowing vegetation to regenerate on land that was previously subject to at least one comprehensive clearing for agricultural use. To achieve this, the project proponent, Devine Agribusiness Carbon Pty Ltd, implemented the cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction and suppression of regrowth. This method relies on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, ensuring the vegetation can eventually reach native forest cover standards of at least 20% canopy cover and a height of 2 meters.

The environment around Marlee Downs is semi-arid, experiencing an average annual rainfall of approximately 450 mm. The regional soils typically feature a mix of flat to gently undulating red and yellow earths, open downs with self-cracking clay soils, and sandy loams characteristic of the Queensland mulga lands. These soils support a variety of native vegetation, originally timbered with Mulga, Ironbark, and Box, when resting from heavy grazing pressure.

This carbon project operates in tandem with the property's cattle farming operations, demonstrating a balanced approach to agribusiness and conservation. By reducing stock levels and resting the land, the current landholders, Jess and Rowan Douglas, have seen successful regeneration of mulga, Mitchell grass, kangaroo grass, and crows foot herbages. The improved plant biodiversity has enhanced soil health and water retention, with carbon revenue funding over $500,000 in farm infrastructure like fencing to better manage water run-off. Additionally, the ecological recovery has promoted a resurgence of native wildlife across the property, including native bees, zebra finches, robins, and wedge-tail eagles.