Darling River Eco Corridor #28

Darling River Eco Corridor #28 is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located west of Bourke in the Mulga Lands bioregion of New South Wales. It was registered in May 2018 and covers a large project area of 33,333.23 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects establish permanent native forests on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been suppressed for at least 10 years. This methodology allows land managers to actively assist the natural regeneration of native trees from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, to eventually reach a sustained forest canopy.

The region west of Bourke is historically known for pastoralism and extensive livestock grazing. The area experiences a semi-arid climate characterized by low, highly variable rainfall. The landscape consists of flat plains interspersed with sandy rises, ridges, swamps, and creeks, meaning soils are largely a mix of sandy earths and clays. Dominant native flora regenerating in the area includes Eremophila sturtii, Dodonaea viscosa, Acacia cambagei, and Acacia excelsa.

The project was established by Terra Carbon Pty Limited to regenerate natural woodlands and shrublands. To achieve this, the project activities include humanely managing feral animals, such as feral goats, and strictly managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing. This is supported by installing fencing upgrades and adjusting water point management. In addition to sequestering carbon and generating ACCUs, this controlled grazing helps reverse historical land degradation, stabilizing the fragile soils and significantly reducing erosion. Woodside Energy is also noted as a buyer of ACCUs from Terra Carbon Pty Limited's HIR projects as part of its climate transition strategy.