Waddy Brae-Fairview-Springwater Regeneration Project

The Waddy Brae-Fairview-Springwater Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the Arcadia Valley region of Queensland, approximately 40 to 50 kilometers north of the town of Injune. Registered in September 2023, the project encompasses a substantial area of 18,868 hectares. The region is situated within the Bowen Basin and is characterized by a mix of traditional agricultural land use, primarily cattle grazing, and significant energy infrastructure, as the "Fairview" and "Springwater" names correspond to major Coal Seam Gas (CSG) fields and operational hubs managed by the proponent, Santos Limited.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects focus on restoring native forest cover through assisted regeneration rather than planting. The methodology requires landholders to cease suppression activities, such as mechanical clearing or chemical destruction, and actively manage the timing and extent of grazing. By controlling these factors, existing seed banks and rootstock in the soil are allowed to regenerate into permanent, even-aged native forests.

The project is situated in the Brigalow Belt bioregion, an environment defined by a sub-tropical, semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 600mm, predominantly falling in summer. The landscape features broad alluvial plains and elevated sandstone ranges. The soils in the Arcadia Valley are typically fertile, consisting largely of deep cracking clays (Vertosols) and loams, which are well-suited to supporting the regrowth of Brigalow, Poplar Box, and other native woodland species once grazing pressure is reduced.

This project represents a strategic integration of carbon farming with energy production. As the proponent, Santos Limited likely utilizes this project as an offset mechanism for emissions generated by its GLNG operations in the surrounding gas fields. In August 2025, the project underwent a variation to amend its designated area, a common administrative procedure to refine project boundaries based on updated vegetation mapping or land tenure adjustments.