Koonaburra Regeneration Project

Koonaburra Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on the property formerly known as Koonaburra Station (now Koonaburra National Park), approximately 100km northeast of Ivanhoe and 140km southwest of Cobar in western New South Wales. Registered in October 2021, the project covers a massive area of 46,028 hectares. The region is historically associated with large-scale pastoral grazing, specifically for sheep and goats, but has increasingly shifted toward conservation land use following government acquisitions.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which involves regenerating permanent native forests by ceasing activities that suppress growth. In this specific instance, the project focuses on the humane management of feral animals. The area has historically struggled with high numbers of feral goats, which browse on young tree saplings and prevent forest regeneration. By controlling these populations, the project allows the underlying seed bank, including rootstock and lignotubers, to regenerate into a mature forest.

Environmentally, the Koonaburra region is classified as semi-arid with low, variable rainfall. The landscape is defined by extensive sandplains and dune fields, featuring a distinct network of water depressions locally known as "melon holes" that provide critical water sources for wildlife. The soils are predominantly sandy loams, red earths, and solonized brown soils typical of the Cobar Peneplain. The vegetation includes communities of Mulga, Bimble Box, White Cypress Pine, and Mallee scrub.

A notable aspect of this project is its ownership structure; the property was acquired by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in 2021 as part of an expansion of the state’s national park estate. The carbon project serves as a mechanism to generate revenue that supports ongoing conservation work and park management. The regeneration of this habitat is critical for threatened species found on the property, including the Mallee fowl, Major Mitchell’s cockatoo, and the fat-tailed dunnart.