Wivenhoe Land Restoration Pilot Project

Wivenhoe Land Restoration Pilot Project is an environmental planting project located around Lake Wivenhoe, approximately 80km northwest of Brisbane in South East Queensland. It was registered in December 2019 and covers 168.95 hectares across seven sites, following a project area variation in September 2020.

Environmental planting projects involve establishing permanent plantings of a mix of native tree species on land predominantly used for agricultural purposes for at least five years prior to the project's commencement. Standard methodology requirements ensure these species are native to the local area and planted at appropriate densities to reach a genuine forest cover.

The Lake Wivenhoe region has a sub-tropical climate with moderate to high rainfall, and features productive alluvial soils and clay loams. The general land use in the immediate region acts as South East Queensland's primary water catchment, while the surrounding land has historically been heavily cleared and utilised for beef cattle grazing.

This project is operated by the Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority (Seqwater) in partnership with CO2 Australia. Over 150,000 native trees, including Queensland blue gums, ironbarks, and river she-oaks, have been planted on formerly cleared grazing land right on the edge of the water storage. The primary focus of the reforestation is to act as a natural erosion buffer, improving the water quality entering Brisbane's largest drinking water supply by preventing pollutants from reaching the storage. The project also restores vital biodiversity corridors, acting as critical habitat for koalas and threatened bird species such as the glossy black cockatoo, squatter pigeon, and red goshawk. Notably, this pilot was also recognised as Australia's first-ever certified Environmental Account by Accounting for Nature.