Charon Point Carbon Project

Charon Point Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Banana Shire of Central Queensland, approximately 25km northwest of the town of Moura and 100km southwest of Rockhampton. Registered in April 2015, the project covers a significant agricultural holding of 6,409 hectares. While the project shares its name with a coastal headland to the north, the physical project area sits firmly inland within the established grazing belt along the Dawson Highway. The primary proponent, Coolum Pastoral Pty Ltd, is a long-standing grazing family in the district, having operated in the Moura region since 1927.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This "hybrid" method allows the proponent to estimate carbon stocks using a combination of physical soil core sampling and biochemical modelling. To generate credits, the project must demonstrate a net increase in soil carbon levels against a baseline. This is achieved through specific land management activities outlined in the project plan, including altering grazing intensity (stocking rates and duration) to improve ground cover, applying nutrients to correct soil deficiencies, and rejuvenating pastures through seeding.

The region is characterized by a sub-tropical, semi-arid climate with a summer-dominant rainfall averaging between 600mm and 700mm annually. The landscape typically consists of undulating plains with soils dominated by Vertosols (cracking clays), often associated with Brigalow scrub clearance. These clay-rich soils generally have a high capacity for carbon sequestration when managed effectively to retain moisture and vegetation cover.

Notable aspects of this project include its adaptive regulatory history. Originally registered under the 2014 soil method, it transitioned to the 2018 method and finally to the 2021 method, reflecting a long-term commitment to evolving best practices in carbon farming. Additionally, registry notes indicate the project was previously associated with a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC) that has since been varied, suggesting the proponents may have pivoted their commercial strategy, potentially to access the spot market or private buyers. The project involves collaboration between the landowner, Corporate Carbon Solutions (a major project developer), and Carbon Link (a specialist in soil carbon technology).