Flanders Carbon Project

Flanders Carbon Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the Paroo Shire local government area, approximately 50km north of Cunnamulla in South West Queensland. It was registered in April 2016 and covers an expansive project area of 68,174.31 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. To achieve this, the methodology requires proponents to undertake specific eligible activities that allow the native vegetation to reach mature forest cover. For the Flanders Carbon Project, these core activities include ceasing the mechanical or chemical destruction of regrowth and actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing.

The Paroo Shire region is characterised by a semi-arid climate with generally low rainfall, and predominantly features red earths, sandy loams, and texture-contrast soils typical of the Mulga Lands bioregion. The surrounding area has a long history of agricultural land use, primarily focused on sheep and beef cattle grazing. On the project area itself, the land had been previously cleared of vegetation, and regrowth was actively suppressed by pastoralists for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing.

A notable aspect of this project is its history of corporate restructuring. In February 2018, the project proponent, Paniri Ventures Pty Ltd, transferred additional land areas into the project from the neighbouring Milhouse Regeneration Project (ERF111315). Under section 52 of the CFI Rule, this restructure also included the transfer of 37,422 Kyoto Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the Flanders Carbon Project. Paniri Holdings Pty Ltd is currently recognised as one of Australia's top 20 carbon farming proponents by volume. Additionally, ACCUs generated by the Flanders Carbon Project have been purchased by major Australian corporations, such as AGL Energy, to offset emissions and meet carbon-neutral certification goals under the federal Climate Active scheme.