Norley Regeneration Project

The Norley Regeneration Project is a large-scale Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Norley Station, approximately 50km north-west of Thargomindah in South West Queensland. Registered in November 2017, the project encompasses a massive area of 273,688 hectares within the Bulloo Shire.

This project utilizes the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which involves regenerating native forests by identifying land where vegetation has been suppressed for at least 10 years. Rather than planting new trees, the project proponents encourage the regrowth of natural "in-situ" seed sources, such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) and other native species, by managing the timing and extent of cattle grazing and ceasing mechanical clearing.

The region is situated in the semi-arid Mulga Lands bioregion, known for its red earth soils, stony ridges, and grey clay alluvial channels. The area experiences low and variable rainfall, averaging approximately 285mm annually. The primary land use in this remote district is extensive pastoralism (grazing beef cattle), which continues alongside the carbon project activities.

Operated by Usher Pastoral Company Pty Ltd with support from service provider Climate Friendly, the project has secured a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC297948) with the Australian Government. Notably, while the total project area covers over 273,000 hectares, specific Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs) where the regeneration is measured and credited cover approximately 93,000 hectares of the property.