Cobbrum Native Forest Regeneration Project

Cobbrum Native Forest Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Cobbrum station, approximately 80km northeast of Cunnamulla in South West Queensland. It was registered in November 2017 and covers 32,823.75 ha. In April 2020, a variation to the project area occurred to remove certain previously listed sections.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent even-aged native forests by removing pressures that suppress natural tree growth. Standard requirements for this method mandate assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, specifically on land where regrowth has been heavily suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing.

The Cunnamulla area is widely known for extensive sheep and cattle grazing operations. The region is classified as having a semi-arid rainfall climate and is predominantly mulga country, with soils generally consisting of red earths, sandy loams, and large claypans.

This project achieves its regeneration goals by explicitly excluding livestock and carefully managing the timing and extent of any required grazing. An interesting historical note about the Cobbrum property is its ties to Marjorie Scrymgeour; her parents owned the station in the early 20th century, and she later earned the distinction of becoming Australia's first licensed female taxi driver in 1916. Furthermore, a portion of the property contains the Cobbrum Lake Nature Refuge, which protects a large claypan lake that serves as a critical habitat for native waterfowl and international migratory wading birds during wetter years.