Turpentine Carbon Project

Turpentine Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 35km northeast of Goondiwindi in Southern Queensland. The project is operated by Archer Pastoral Pty Ltd, led by regenerative agriculture advocates Tom and Antoinette Archer, in partnership with carbon developer Corporate Carbon. Registered in October 2015, the project covers a 3,844-hectare area, which is likely part of the Archer family’s "Rexton" or "Rainmore" aggregation.

The Goondiwindi region is a major agricultural hub known for cattle grazing and broadacre cropping (cotton and cereals). The area typically experiences a semi-arid to sub-tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 500-600mm. The soils in this specific location are generally comprised of grey clays and red loams, characteristic of the Brigalow Belt. Historical reports from the proponents describe the land as having been previously "severely overgrazed" with significant bare ground, prompting a shift toward regenerative practices to restore soil health.

The project currently operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models) Methodology Determination 2021. This methodology rewards landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through changes in land management. Specific activities for this project include altering stocking rates, duration, and intensity of grazing, as well as rejuvenating pastures through seeding. The 2021 method allows for a hybrid approach, using both physical soil sampling and modeled estimates to calculate carbon abatement, which can reduce the high costs associated with traditional measurement-only methods.

A notable aspect of this project is its long operational history and the proponents' commitment to "Holistic Management." The project has transitioned through three different iterations of the soil carbon methodology (2014, 2018, and 2021), reflecting the evolving regulatory landscape. Tom Archer is a well-known figure in the regenerative grazing community, having implemented high-density, time-controlled grazing (often called cell grazing) by subdividing the property into numerous smaller paddocks (down to ~20 hectares). This infrastructure investment reportedly paid for itself within seven years through increased productivity and drought resilience, in addition to the carbon credits generated.