Thargomindah Regeneration Project

Thargomindah Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at Thargomindah Station, approximately 15km south-east of Thargomindah in South West Queensland. It was registered in September 2023 and covers an area of 47,003.48 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve establishing permanent native forests by changing land management practices to allow native vegetation to regrow from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. To meet standard requirements, these projects must suppress activities that hinder regrowth, such as controlling feral animals or altering livestock grazing, allowing the forest to eventually reach maturity with at least 20% canopy cover and a height of 2 metres. The primary project activity for this site is the management of the timing and the extent of livestock grazing on land that was previously cleared and where regrowth had been suppressed for at least 10 years.

The Bulloo Shire and the surrounding Thargomindah region are traditionally known for pastoral activities, specifically cattle and sheep grazing. The local environment is considered semi-arid to arid, experiencing low mean annual rainfall of approximately 285mm. Situated in the spectacular Channel Country and Mulga Lands bioregions, the landscape features vast floodplains, sand dunes, and mulga shrublands. The soils predominantly consist of sandy red earths, shallow loamy duplex soils, and clay loams.

This project is highly notable due to its groundbreaking finance model which facilitated the Traditional Owners' return to Country. In late August 2023, the Kullilli Bulloo River Aboriginal Corporation (KBRAC) successfully purchased the 47,100-hectare Thargomindah Station at auction. The $6.1 million acquisition was backed by an innovative financing partnership with Conscious Investment Management and project agent Climate Friendly. Under this model, the land loan is being repaid directly through the sale of the Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated by the project. Over its 25-year permanence period, the project is projected to generate around 270,000 carbon credits. The land holds deep cultural significance for the Kullilli people, who were historically removed from the area, and the property includes important cultural heritage sites such as an ancestral burial sandhill.