Rocky Station Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Rocky Station Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 55km east-southeast of Charleville in the Murweh Shire of South West Queensland. Registered on May 16, 2018, the project covers a substantial area of 15,362 hectares. The region is situated within the Mulga Lands bioregion, an area traditionally dominated by pastoral grazing (sheep and cattle) on leasehold and freehold land.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve implementing changes in land management to facilitate the regrowth of native forests. For this specific project, activities center on the cessation of mechanical or chemical destruction and the suppression of regrowth, typically achieved by managing grazing pressure to allow native vegetation to recover. The methodology requires that the land was previously cleared and regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project, with the ultimate goal of regenerating native species (such as Mulga) to a forest cover standard (at least 2 meters in height and 20% canopy density).

The environmental conditions at Rocky Station are characteristic of the semi-arid Mulga Lands. The area experiences variable, summer-dominant rainfall, generally averaging between 400mm and 500mm annually. The terrain typically consists of flat to undulating plains featuring red earth soils (Kandosols) and sandy loams, which support the native Acacia woodlands targeted for regeneration.

This project is undertaken in partnership with CO2 Australia, a prominent carbon service provider. Notably, the project has committed to a 100-year permanence period, ensuring the stored carbon is maintained on the site until at least 2120. The regeneration relies on in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, rather than direct planting.