Thooruna Reforestation by Environmental Plantings Project

Thooruna Reforestation by Environmental Plantings Project is an environmental planting project located in the North Burnett region of Queensland, approximately 60km west of Mundubbera. Registered in September 2024, the project covers 582 hectares of land held by the Vander Have family. The region is traditionally dominated by cattle grazing and forestry operations, with the project site itself having been used for agriculture for at least five years prior to the project's commencement.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings methodology. This involves establishing permanent forest cover using a mix of tree species native to the local area. To generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), the plantings must achieve forest cover, typically defined as reaching a height of at least 2 metres and a crown cover of at least 20%, with stocking densities (often exceeding 200 stems per hectare) sufficient to meet FullCAM modelling requirements.

Ecologically, the North Burnett region is characterized by a subtropical climate with summer-dominant rainfall, averaging around 700mm annually. The soils in this part of the Brigalow Belt bioregion are variable but often feature cracking clays or texture-contrast soils derived from sedimentary rock. These conditions support the native woodland ecosystems the project aims to restore.

A notable aspect of this project is its dual registration with the Accounting for Nature framework (Account ID: AU00102). In addition to sequestering carbon, the proponents are actively measuring the condition of environmental assets, specifically vegetation and woodland bird populations. The project aims to create vital habitat for threatened species listed under the EPBC Act, serving as a model for integrating conservation into productive grazing landscapes.