Sunnyside Regeneration Project

Sunnyside Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located in the Longreach local government area of Central West Queensland, approximately 105km southwest of the town of Longreach. It was registered in September 2023 and covers a substantial 32,482.83 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent even-aged native forests by promoting the regrowth of native vegetation. This relies on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was cleared and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. Standard requirements dictate that regeneration is achieved by ceasing or altering suppressive activities. For this project, the primary activity involves carefully managing the timing and the extent of livestock grazing to allow natural forest cover to safely regenerate.

The Longreach region is predominantly used for extensive sheep and cattle grazing on native pastures. The area is heavily constrained by its environment, classified as having a semi-arid climate with low and highly variable rainfall. The local soils generally consist of heavy cracking clays (vertosols) typical of the Mitchell grass downs, alongside patches of red earth and sandy loams in mulga lands.

The project is operated by Oxenhope Pty Ltd as trustee for The Nunn Family Trust, with major carbon service provider Climate Friendly Pty Ltd acting as the project agent. The project has officially nominated a 25-year permanence period, meaning the newly regenerated native forest must be maintained and protected for this duration to successfully earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).