Westerton Regeneration Project

Westerton Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Westerton Station, approximately 175km south-southwest of Winton in Central West Queensland's Barcoo Shire. Managed by Wiltshire Cattle Pty Ltd in partnership with Climate Friendly Pty Ltd, it was registered in September 2017 and covers a vast 55,122.43 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating permanent native forests by changing land management practices. In this project, standard requirements involve managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing to allow native vegetation to regenerate and eventually reach forest cover standards, which is defined as at least 2 metres in height and 20% canopy cover.

The Winton and Barcoo Shire area is traditionally known for large-scale cattle and sheep grazing operations. The region experiences a semi-arid climate with low, highly variable rainfall, and regional soils generally consist of cracking clays, stony downs, and sandy loams typical of the Channel Country and Mitchell Grass Downs.

This project specifically focuses on establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers. It is notably situated on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth was actively suppressed by livestock for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement.