Biodiversity experts Niche support Australia’s second registered Nature Repair Market project
May 28, 2026
Media Centre, News & Insights
Australia’s second Nature Repair Market registration, the Karinya Downs Wet Sclerophyll Forest and Rainforest Restoration project, was announced by the Clean Energy Regulator today, with Niche acting as biodiversity specialists on the project.
Niche provided biodiversity services to the proponent 24 Degree Forest, including baseline surveys, reporting and guidance on restoration targets aligned with the NRM methodology, enabling the registration of the 20 hectare project on Bundjalung country, near Doon Doon in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
Niche Managing Director, Ian Rollins, said the team was proud to have supported both the first and second registered NRM projects.
“Building on our experience with the first ever NRM project, Cooplacurripa Station, we are pleased to have now also contributed our biodiversity expertise to the second NRM project, Karinya Downs, which represents another exciting milestone for Australia’s emerging nature markets,” he said.
Niche’s team of ecologists, natural capital advisors and spatial experts collaborated with project developer 24 Degree Forest on the Karinya Downs project, delivering the technical biodiversity expertise and fieldwork that underpins the project.
The Karinya Downs Nature Repair Market project, Northern Rivers NSW
“Niche’s biodiversity expertise and our experience working on the first NRM project has provided a strong foundation of environmental integrity for Karinya Downs, ensuring it has ambitious yet practical restoration targets that will drive tangible impacts on the ground.”
The Karinya Downs project will involve planting rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest to restore and connect bushland on the property with the adjoining Nightcap National Park, strengthening critical habitat and foraging availability for animals like koalas and long-nosed potoroos.
“The Nature Repair Market is already driving much-needed private investment into nature restoration activities. It is fantastic to see how biodiversity experts, government, landholders and project developers can collaborate to deliver high-integrity nature positive outcomes,” said Mr Rollins.
Building on 24 Degree Forest’s vision to plant high density forests with real ecological outcomes, Niche undertook the project design, on ground Starting State Assessment, completed the Site Assessment Report and provided guidance and technical input on the Project Plan. This work included conducting preliminary assessments, baseline surveys, data analysis, reporting and managing the registration process with the Clean Energy Regulator.
Dmitri Medvedko (Senior Associate – Ecology) and Gabriella Suares (Experienced Consultant – Natural Capital) at Karinya Downs
Niche is the only biodiversity consultancy with experience in the NRM methodology, positioning us as a leader in this evolving space. This NRM experience builds on our more than 15 years’ experience working on complex environmental projects from impact assessments to biodiversity offsetting to land restoration.
Niche delivered the first ever NRM project, Cooplacurripa Station, which was registered in August 2025.
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Key people
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Ian Rollins BA, MResDev
Managing Director
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Betha Westall BEnvSc, BGS
Associate – Natural Capital
