Barney Gumble Reforestation Project

The Barney Gumble Reforestation Project is a large-scale Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the semi-arid Mulga Lands of South West Queensland. Situated approximately 85 kilometers west of Augathella and 100 kilometers northwest of Charleville, the project covers a substantial area of 28,000 hectares. Registered in August 2018, the project operates on land traditionally used for extensive livestock grazing. The surrounding region is characterized by flat to undulating plains with red earth soils, supporting vegetation communities dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura) and other hardy acacia species.

The project utilizes the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology, which credits carbon abatement achieved by regenerating native forests on land where vegetation was previously suppressed. Unlike environmental planting, this method does not involve manual tree planting. Instead, it relies on assisted regeneration from in-situ sources, such as rootstock, lignotubers, and existing seed banks, facilitated by changes in land management. Specifically, this project involves the cessation of mechanical clearing and the strict management of grazing pressure (initially destocking sheep and cattle) to allow the suppressed vegetation to recover and reach forest maturity (defined as 2 meters in height with 20% canopy cover).

Several unique aspects define this project. The name "Barney Gumble" appears to be a humorous reference to the character from The Simpsons, which is distinct in a sector where projects usually bear the name of the pastoral station (e.g., "Crystalvale"). Furthermore, public records from the Supreme Court of Queensland indicate a legal dispute in 2023 between the landholder participant, Tacora Agri Pty Ltd, and the proponent, Prove Pastoral GP Pty Ltd. This suggests complex commercial or operational dynamics between the project developer and the landholder, a critical detail for analysts monitoring project stability.