Woodvale Human Induced Regeneration Project

The Woodvale Human Induced Regeneration Project is a native forest regeneration initiative located approximately 60km northwest of Bollon in the Balonne Shire of Queensland. Registered in August 2017, the project spans a significant area of 9,934 hectares. The surrounding region is situated within the Mulga Lands bioregion, an area traditionally utilized for extensive grazing of sheep and cattle.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This carbon farming method focuses on restoring native forest cover on land where vegetation growth has been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically due to agricultural activities. Unlike tree planting projects, HIR relies on the assisted regeneration of in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers. To achieve this, the project proponent implements specific management changes, such as the cessation of mechanical clearing and the active management of grazing pressure to allow suppressed vegetation to mature into forest.

Environmentally, the site is located in a semi-arid zone characterized by variable rainfall, averaging between 300mm and 450mm annually. The landscape is dominated by the Mulga (Acacia aneura) vegetation community, often interspersed with Poplar Box woodlands. The underlying soil profile typically consists of massive red earths (Kandosols) and sandy loams, which are well-suited to supporting these drought-resilient native species once grazing pressure is reduced.

The project is managed by proponent Michael James Robert Waugh with the support of CO2 Australia Pty Ltd, a veteran service provider in the Australian carbon market. By allowing the regeneration of native vegetation, the project aims to sequester carbon dioxide while potentially enhancing biodiversity corridors and land condition within the pastoral estate.