Valkyrie property - Project Freyja (Revoked)

Valkyrie property - Project Freyja (Revoked) is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on the 'Valkyrie' pastoral property in Central Queensland, approximately 30km south of Nebo and 57km east of Moranbah. The project covers an area of 1,355.82 hectares and its northern boundary abuts the southern edge of Dipperu National Park, separated by Bee Creek. It was initially registered on 4 June 2019, though this was later varied to 1 September 2020. The broader Moranbah and Nebo region in the Bowen Basin is traditionally dominated by large-scale beef cattle grazing and improved pasture, alongside significant coal mining and coal seam gas operations.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating native forests by changing land management practices to allow previously cleared or degraded vegetation to regrow. Under this methodology, proponents must demonstrate that the land can reach a permanent, even-aged forest cover by stopping activities that suppress natural tree growth. For Project Freyja, standard requirements were met through the cessation of mechanical and chemical destruction of regrowth, as well as actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing.

The environment in this part of the Bowen Basin is characterised by a semi-arid to sub-tropical climate with highly seasonal summer rainfall, averaging between 500mm and 700mm annually. The soils in the region are diverse but commonly feature fertile cracking clays (Vertosols) typically associated with Brigalow scrub land, as well as loamy and sandy surface soils on elevated ridges and woodland plains.

An interesting note about Project Freyja is that it was established as Shell Australia's first native-based solutions project. Managed by the proponent, Shell affiliate QGC Pty Limited, the project was integrated into a larger 10,000-hectare carbon and biodiversity offset strategy for the company's regional natural gas developments (such as the Surat North CSG Project). It aimed to sequester approximately 90,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over 25 years by establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources (including rootstock and lignotubers) on land that had been cleared and suppressed for at least 10 years. Ultimately, the project was revoked on 2 April 2026 under section 30 of the CFI Rule.