Catchment Conservation Alliance - Great Barrier Reef Initiative Site #8

Catchment Conservation Alliance - Great Barrier Reef Initiative Site #8 is an Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth project located in the North Burnett region of Queensland, approximately 80km west of Bundaberg and 20km north of the town of Mount Perry. Registered on May 18, 2020, the project covers a substantial area of 6,784 hectares. The surrounding region is predominantly utilized for cattle grazing and timber production, industries that have historically driven land clearing in the area.

The project operates under the Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth methodology. This method is designed for landholders who possess a legal right to clear native forest that has regenerated on land cleared at least twice in the past. By voluntarily agreeing not to clear this vegetation, the proponent earns carbon credits for the emissions avoided, allowing the forest to mature and store carbon. Unlike tree planting projects, this approach focuses on protecting existing regrowth that would otherwise be removed for pasture maintenance.

Environmentally, the North Burnett region experiences a sub-tropical climate with variable rainfall, generally averaging around 700mm to 900mm annually. The terrain often features hilly landscapes with soils ranging from red volcanic earths (Ferrosols) to sodic duplex soils (Sodosols), which can be susceptible to erosion if vegetation is removed. A key feature of this project is its participation in the broader Catchment Conservation Alliance initiative. By retaining forest cover in the Burnett River catchment, the project helps reduce sediment run-off, thereby improving water quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.