Darling River Eco Corridor #30

Darling River Eco Corridor #30 is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Belvedere Station, approximately 30km north-west of Bourke in New South Wales. It was registered in November 2017 and covers a project area of 67,278.89 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating native forests by changing agricultural land management practices on land where vegetation was previously cleared and regrowth systematically suppressed for at least 10 years. Standard methodology requirements dictate that the project area must have the potential to achieve forest cover, typically defined as reaching a minimum of 20% crown canopy cover and a height of 2 metres.

The Bourke region, situated within the semi-arid Western Division of NSW, is traditionally known for extensive livestock farming operations, primarily sheep and cattle grazing. The environment features a semi-arid rainfall classification, and the soils are generally characterised by a mix of red earths, cracking clays, and the alluvial floodplains of the Darling River system.

The project is run by local Dorper sheep farmers, Lincoln and Dimity Old, in partnership with the project proponent Terra Carbon Pty Limited, a subsidiary of the environmental markets developer GreenCollar. By actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and humanely managing feral animals, the project allows in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock, lignotubers, young gidgee, and mulga, to successfully recover. Through rotational grazing that rests paddocks for 6 to 12 months, the family has significantly improved native vegetation recovery across the station. The additional carbon income has provided financial security during prolonged droughts and allowed for investments in new fencing, water points, and agricultural machinery, showcasing a highly successful synergy between commercial agriculture and carbon farming.