Catchment Conservation Alliance - Southern Rivers Initiative Site #4

Catchment Conservation Alliance - Southern Rivers Initiative Site #4 is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the Mulga Lands of South West Queensland. The project spans approximately 17,429 hectares and is situated roughly 100km southeast of Cunnamulla, just north of the New South Wales border near the Culgoa River. It was registered on July 10, 2017, and is managed by Terra Carbon Pty Limited, which serves as the trading arm for the environmental markets developer GreenCollar.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, designed to restore native forest cover on land where vegetation has been suppressed for at least 10 years. Instead of planting new trees, the project facilitates natural regeneration from existing seed banks and rootstock (lignotubers) by effectively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and controlling feral animals. This reduction in grazing pressure allows young trees to survive and mature into a permanent forest canopy.

The region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 350-400mm. The landscape typically consists of red earth and sandy loam soils known as Kandosols, which support vegetation communities dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Poplar Box woodlands. The primary land use in this area is extensive grazing for sheep and cattle.

This project is part of the broader "Catchment Conservation Alliance," an initiative focused on regenerating natural woodlands across the Murray-Darling Basin catchment. By participating in the carbon market, landholders in this initiative can fund infrastructure improvements, such as new fencing and water points, which improve long-term land management and drought resilience while diversifying farm income.