Melrose Regeneration Project (Revoked)

The Melrose Regeneration Project (Revoked) was a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Melrose Station, approximately 90 kilometres southeast of Winton in Central West Queensland. Registered in July 2017 by Tonkoro Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, the project covered a substantial area of 73,567 hectares. The property lies within the Longreach and Winton local government areas, a region traditionally dominated by sheep and cattle grazing on large pastoral leases.

The project operated under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which involves regenerating permanent native forests on land where vegetation has been suppressed for at least 10 years. By managing the timing and extent of grazing and ceasing mechanical clearing, the project aimed to allow native species, likely Gidyea or Mulga scrub typical of the area, to regenerate from in-situ seed sources and rootstock. The goal of such projects is to achieve forest cover (at least 20% canopy density and 2 meters in height) to store carbon in the biomass.

Environmentally, the region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with hot summers and variable rainfall, often occurring in summer storms. The landscape forms part of the Channel Country bioregion and the headwaters of the Lake Eyre Basin. Soils in this area are typically cracking clays (Vertosols), often associated with Mitchell grass downs, interspersed with lighter sandy loams and stony ridges that support acacia woodlands.

A significant development for this location occurred around the time of the project's revocation. On June 19, 2023, the project was voluntarily revoked under Section 30 of the CFI Rule. Shortly thereafter, in early 2024, the Queensland Government announced the acquisition of Melrose Station (along with the proponent's other property, Tonkoro Station) to expand the state's protected area estate. The land was purchased to protect the habitat of the endangered Night Parrot and the Opalton Grasswren, and to connect with the adjacent Bladensburg National Park. The revocation of the carbon project likely facilitated this transition from pastoral land to a dedicated conservation reserve.