Wongalee NFMR Project

The Wongalee NFMR Project is a Native Forest from Managed Regrowth (NFMR) project located approximately 50km west of St George and north of Dirranbandi in the Balonne Shire of Queensland. Registered on March 26, 2024, the project covers a significant area of 15,766 hectares. The property, situated on Honeymah Lane, has historically been utilised for cattle grazing, a common land use in this semi-arid region.

Native Forest from Managed Regrowth projects focus on regenerating native vegetation on land that was previously cleared for pastoral purposes. Unlike planting projects, this methodology relies on the natural landscape's ability to recover once suppression activities, such as mechanical clearing or intensive grazing, are ceased. By managing the timing and extent of grazing and stopping chemical or mechanical destruction, the project allows in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers to re-establish a permanent forest canopy.

The St George and Dirranbandi region is characterised by a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 500mm. The landscape typically features a mix of red earth ridges and grey cracking clay soils (Vertosols) on floodplains, supporting vegetation such as Mulga, Poplar Box, and Coolibah. The project area likely includes diverse habitat types that have been historically modified for agriculture but retain high regenerative potential.

Pastoral Partners Australia, the project proponent, is an agricultural investment and leasing firm that partners with farming families. They have publicised that the Wongalee project is expected to generate approximately 460,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) over its 25-year crediting period. Beyond carbon sequestration, the proponent notes that the project aims to improve soil health, biodiversity, and drought resilience across the property.