Blinky Forest Carbon Project

Blinky Forest Carbon Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 70km north-east of Quilpie in South West Queensland. It was registered in April 2018 and covers an expansive 49,303.96 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve changing land management practices to allow native forests to regenerate from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. Standard requirements include ceasing activities that suppress regrowth, such as mechanical clearing or overgrazing, to enable the native vegetation to eventually reach a forest cover of at least 20% canopy and 2 meters in height.

The Quilpie region is a semi-arid environment characterized by low rainfall. The general land use in the surrounding area is pastoral grazing, primarily focused on cattle and sheep. Environmental conditions are typical of the surrounding Mulga Lands, where soils predominantly consist of red earths, clay, and sandy loams.

This project was established to allow permanent native forests to regenerate on land where regrowth was previously chemically or mechanically suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement. Project activities include stopping the mechanical destruction of regrowth and closely managing the timing and extent of grazing. Allowing the forest to regenerate reduces soil erosion and salinity, improves water quality, and provides crucial habitat for local species of insects, birds, and reptiles. Interestingly, a participant name variation occurred in January 2024, changing from Tacora Agri Pty Ltd to Prove Pastoral GP Pty Ltd. This administrative change followed a 2023 legal dispute between the two corporate entities recorded in the Supreme Court of Queensland.