Catchment Conservation Alliance - Southern Rivers Initiative Site #5

Catchment Conservation Alliance - Southern Rivers Initiative Site #5 is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Lantana Station, approximately 150km south-west of Charleville near Cheepie in South West Queensland. It was registered in October 2017 and covers an area of 38,021.96 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects aim to establish permanent, even-aged native forests on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years. This methodology requires the implementation of new management activities, such as managing the timing and extent of grazing and humanely managing feral animals. These changes allow native vegetation to naturally regenerate from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, eventually achieving mature forest cover.

The South West Queensland region features a semi-arid climate characterized by low annual rainfall. The soils are typically mulga soils, red earths, and sandy loams, and the surrounding area is predominantly used for extensive beef cattle grazing.

Lantana Station was purchased by Carl and Judi Bain in 2009. Overgrazing by previous management had left the land in poor condition. By partnering with project proponent Terra Carbon Pty Limited (a subsidiary of the environmental markets developer GreenCollar) to establish this carbon project, the owners gained an alternative income stream. This financial support allowed them to reduce stocking numbers, facilitating land regeneration while improving overall business productivity. The Bain family also runs a paddock-to-plate beef business called "PastYour Lips" from the station, selling grass-fed, hormone-free beef. The Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated by this project have been highly sought after and purchased by notable corporate buyers, including Maleny Dairies to meet their Climate Active carbon neutral certifications, and Woodside Energy for offsetting their Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.