Kennabate Human Induced Regeneration Project

The Kennabate Human Induced Regeneration Project is a large-scale vegetation project located approximately 125 kilometres west of Cobar in the Far West region of New South Wales. Registered on May 1, 2023, the project spans a significant area of 79,771 hectares. The project operates within the Cobar Shire Council area, a region historically dominated by rangeland grazing on extensive pastoral leases. Market listings associated with the landholders indicate the area is actively used for grazing livestock, specifically shedding sheep breeds such as Dorpers and Meatmasters, on properties including Bulla Bulla Station.

This project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This method credits landholders for regenerating native forests by suppressing activities that previously prevented growth, such as mechanical clearing or uncontrolled grazing. Unlike tree planting projects, HIR relies on the germination of in-situ seed sources (soil seed banks) and rootstocks. To generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), the project must demonstrate that forest cover is regenerating toward a canopy density of 20% and a height of at least two metres.

The environment in this part of Western New South Wales is classified as semi-arid, characterized by low and variable rainfall averaging between 300mm and 400mm annually. The landscape typically features flat to undulating plains with red earth and skeletal soils, supporting vegetation such as Mulga (Acacia aneura), Bimble Box (Eucalyptus populnea), and various native shrubs. The project activities focus on managing grazing timing and controlling feral animals (such as goats and pigs) to allow these native species to recover and establish permanent forest cover.