Norma Vale Regeneration

Norma Vale Regeneration is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 80km south of Cobar and west of Nymagee in the Cobar Shire of New South Wales. Registered in June 2022, the project covers a substantial area of 8,700 hectares within the Cobar Peneplain bioregion. This region is historically dominated by rangeland grazing (sheep and goats) and is also a significant hub for mining exploration.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which credits landholders for regenerating native forests where vegetation was previously suppressed, typically by livestock or mechanical clearing. Unlike planting projects, HIR relies on managing the land to allow in-situ seed sources (rootstock and lignotubers) to regenerate naturally. For Norma Vale, this involves the cessation of mechanical clearing and the active management of feral animals to reduce grazing pressure on young trees.

Environmentally, the site is situated in a semi-arid zone characterized by hot summers and variable rainfall (averaging 360mm annually). The landscape features undulating plains with red earth soils and lithosols, supporting vegetation communities such as Mulga, Bimble Box, and White Cypress Pine. An interesting facet of this property is its multi-use nature; corporate reports indicate that the land is subject to mineral exploration licenses (EL8126) held by Peel Mining Limited, highlighting the intersection of carbon farming and resource exploration in western NSW.