CO2 Australia - Human-Induced Regeneration Project - Stage 1 (Revoked)

CO2 Australia - Human-Induced Regeneration Project - Stage 1 (Revoked) is a human-induced regeneration project located approximately 60km north-west of St George in the Balonne Shire of Queensland. It was registered in March 2017 and covers a project area of 8,265.98 ha.

Human-induced regeneration projects involve establishing permanent, even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers. This methodology requires changing land management practices, most commonly the exclusion of livestock, on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing.

The Balonne region around St George is predominantly known for agricultural and pastoral activities, including cattle grazing, grain cropping, and cotton farming. The area experiences a semi-arid climate with moderate to low annual rainfall (averaging around 500mm). Soils in this region generally consist of cracking clays, sandy loams, and texture-contrast soils commonly associated with native mulga and brigalow woodlands.

This project has an interesting administrative history. Originally registered with CO2 Australia Limited as the primary participant, it was transferred to Ian Arnold Nicholson in May 2018 alongside a variation to the project area. Although the project secured a fixed delivery carbon abatement contract (CAC484370) for 51,096 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) in April 2017, the contract eventually lapsed or was terminated in November 2020 with no abatement delivered to the Commonwealth. Ultimately, the project itself was revoked under section 30 of the CFI Rule in April 2021.