Springvale Human-Induced Regeneration Project (Revoked)

The Springvale Human-Induced Regeneration Project (Revoked) was a carbon farming initiative located approximately 50km northwest of Walgett in northern New South Wales. Registered in March 2017, the project covered a substantial area of 5,847 hectares. However, its participation in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme was relatively short-lived; the project was voluntarily revoked in October 2019, just over two years after its inception.

The project operated under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This method credits landholders for regenerating native forests by permanently ceasing activities that suppress vegetation growth, such as mechanical clearing or uncontrolled grazing. Unlike tree planting projects, HIR relies on the germination of in-situ seed sources, rootstock and lignotubers lying dormant in the soil, to restore forest cover. For Springvale, the specific activities involved stopping mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth to allow the landscape to recover.

Environmentally, the Walgett region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with hot summers and variable rainfall. The landscape is dominated by the vast floodplains of the Namoi and Barwon rivers, featuring grey and black Vertosols (cracking clay soils) known for their fertility but high clay content. The regional land use is primarily split between extensive grazing for sheep and cattle and dryland cropping, depending on soil suitability and water availability.

A notable aspect of this project is its administrative history. It secured a carbon abatement contract in April 2017, shortly after registration, which indicates an early intent to deliver credits to the Commonwealth. However, the contract was terminated or lapsed in October 2018, and the project itself was revoked a year later under Section 30 of the CFI Rule, which governs voluntary revocations. This sequence suggests the proponent, Miaoli Holdings Pty Ltd, may have encountered operational challenges or determined that the project was not viable under the contracted terms.