Fysh Carbon Project

The Fysh Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at "Mount Tom," approximately 20km southeast of Miriam Vale and 70km south of Gladstone in Central Queensland. Registered in June 2020, the project initially covered an area of 893 hectares, though operational reports suggest the active carbon farming area is approximately 400 hectares. The project is situated within the catchment of Baffle Creek, a waterway that flows into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, highlighting its strategic environmental importance.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models) Methodology Determination 2021. Originally registered under the 2018 measurement-based method, it transferred to the 2021 hybrid method to utilise advanced modeling alongside physical sampling. The project activities involve rejuvenating pastures by sowing multi-species seed mixes using zero-tillage techniques to minimize soil disturbance. This approach aims to increase plant diversity and root mass, thereby sequestering more organic carbon in the soil while improving carrying capacity for cattle.

The region is characterized by a warm, sub-tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 830mm. The landscape at Mount Tom is dominated by cattle grazing, though the specific site features light, fragile sandy soils that are historically prone to erosion. By improving ground cover and soil structure, the project aims to mitigate sediment runoff into the nearby reef catchment.

Notably, the Fysh Carbon Project was the first to be issued Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) under AgriProve’s "digitally enabled" model, generating 3,559 ACCUs in its first issuance with a reported yield of 4.4 ACCUs per hectare per year. The project is also a participant in the Queensland Government’s Land Restoration Fund (LRF), recognized for delivering co-benefits such as improved biodiversity and reef protection.