Paroo River South Environmental Project

Paroo River South Environmental Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 85km northwest of Cunnamulla in the Paroo Shire of South West Queensland. Registered in November 2016, the project covers a substantial area of 41,445 hectares. The region is situated within the Mulga Lands bioregion, an area historically utilized for extensive grazing of sheep and cattle.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology. This carbon farming method involves regenerating permanent even-aged native forests on land where vegetation had previously been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically by livestock or mechanical clearing. By ceasing these suppression activities, specifically through the management of grazing timing and extent, the project aims to allow native species such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) to regenerate and sequester carbon.

Environmentally, the Paroo Shire is characterized by a semi-arid climate with highly variable rainfall, averaging between 200mm and 400mm annually. The landscape is dominated by Mulga shrublands and open woodlands. The soils in this area are typically red earths (Kandosols) on the plains and ridges, with grey cracking clays (Vertosols) often found along the floodplains of the Paroo River system.

An interesting aspect of this project is its commercial history; while it was originally contracted to supply carbon abatement to the Australian Government (Contract CAC760482), this contract was terminated or lapsed in 2018. Despite this, the project has remained active and has successfully issued over 81,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to date. It is one of several projects in the region managed by Lanin Holdings and Ninal Ventures, often operating in conjunction with the adjacent "Paroo River North" project.