Dalkeith Regeneration Project

The Dalkeith Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Dalkeith Station, approximately 130km northwest of Bourke in the Far West region of New South Wales. Registered on December 20, 2022, the project covers a substantial area of 10,579 hectares within the Bourke Shire Council local government area. The project is managed by proponent Julie Anne Cullenward with the assistance of carbon service provider Climate Friendly Pty Ltd.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which credits landholders for regenerating native forests on land where vegetation growth has been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically by livestock grazing. By managing the timing and extent of grazing, the project allows native vegetation to recover and reach forest cover. Specifically, this project focuses on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, rather than planting new trees. This approach is designed to restore the landscape to its natural state while sequestering carbon in the growing biomass.

Situated in the Mulga Lands bioregion, the area is characterized by a semi-arid climate with low, variable rainfall. The landscape typically features soft red earth soils (kandosols) and grey clays along watercourses like the Cuttaburra Creek. The dominant vegetation includes Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Bimble Box (Eucalyptus populnea), which are well-adapted to the region's harsh conditions. The primary land use in this remote area is extensive grazing for sheep, cattle, and goats, making the integration of carbon farming a complementary activity that supports both environmental restoration and pastoral viability.