Lower Wonga Native Revegetation Project (Revoked)

The Lower Wonga Native Revegetation Project (Revoked) was an environmental planting initiative located in the locality of Lower Wonga, approximately 25 kilometers north-west of Gympie in Queensland. Registered in March 2022, the project covered 174 hectares of land formerly used for agriculture. The project was revoked in November 2024 under Section 30 of the CFI Rule, indicating a voluntary revocation by the proponent rather than a regulator-enforced cancellation.

The project operated under the Environmental Plantings methodology, which requires the establishment of permanent native forest cover on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. The specific activities involved planting a mix of native tree species native to the local area, designed to achieve forest cover and store carbon in the growing biomass.

The Lower Wonga region lies within the Wide Bay-Burnett area, characterized by a sub-tropical climate with generally high rainfall suitable for forestry and grazing. The local landscape typically supports beef cattle grazing and forestry operations. Soils in the immediate vicinity are often characterized as hard clays or weathered basalt, which can be fertile but heavy.

A notable aspect of this project was its proponent, The Star Entertainment International No.5 Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of The Star Entertainment Group). The project was established on a property named "Corymbia," purchased by Star to serve a dual purpose: generating carbon credits to offset the group's casino and hospitality emissions, and acting as a sustainable farm to supply produce to their restaurants. By the 2023 financial year, the company reported planting over 63,500 trees on the site with the help of partners like the Odonata Foundation and Noosa Landcare. The voluntary revocation in late 2024 suggests a strategic shift or restructuring of the asset by the proponent.