Sunnyside Regeneration Project

The Sunnyside Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 110 kilometers west-southwest of Longreach in Central West Queensland. The project is situated within the Longreach Regional Council area, south of Winton, in a region heavily reliant on pastoral activities such as sheep and cattle grazing. Registered on September 12, 2023, the project encompasses a significant land area of 32,482 hectares.

This project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology, which focuses on regenerating permanent native forests on land where vegetation growth has been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically due to agricultural activities. The core activity involves managing the timing and extent of grazing to allow in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, to regenerate into forest cover. To generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), the regenerating forest must achieve specific canopy cover and height thresholds typical of the region's native vegetation.

The environmental context of the Sunnyside station area is classified as semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and variable rainfall. The landscape likely features a mix of Mitchell Grass downs and Channel Country attributes, with soils ranging from cracking grey clays (vertosols) to red earths. These soil types typically support the regrowth of resilient native species such as Gidgee (Acacia cambagei), Mulga, and Eucalypts along watercourses, which are the primary targets for regeneration in this carbon project.

The project is undertaken by Oxenhope Pty Ltd, acting as the trustee for The Nunn Family Trust, a name associated with pastoral operations in the Queensland interior. Climate Friendly Pty Ltd serves as the carbon service provider, facilitating the project's compliance and management. The large scale of the project (over 32,000 hectares) suggests a substantial commitment to integrating carbon farming with traditional livestock management.