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 at Goondicum Station in Yarrol, approximately 60km southeast of Monto in Queensland's North Burnett region. It was registered in May 2020 and covers a total project area of 6784.15 hectares.

Avoided clearing of native regrowth projects generate carbon credits by protecting native forest that has regenerated on land previously subjected to agricultural clearing. Under the standard methodology requirements, landholders must demonstrate they have the legal right to clear the vegetation, which typically must have been cleared at least twice in the past for grazing or cropping, but actively choose to retain and maintain the native forest to capture and store carbon.

The North Burnett region's primary land use consists of extensive cattle grazing and forestry operations. The environment here is characterized by a sub-tropical climate with variable, summer-dominant rainfall, and the regional soils typically feature Vertosols (cracking clays) and Dermosols that natively support eucalypt woodlands and rich pasture grasses.

An interesting note about this project is its integration into the "Beef and Conservation for the Future" (BC4) initiative. Supported by a 10-year, $2.1 million investment from the Queensland Government's Land Restoration Fund, the project is a collaborative effort involving GreenCollar, the parent company of the project proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited. The project utilizes timed, managed grazing practices and installs new fencing to reduce cattle grazing pressure around creeks. In addition to avoiding carbon emissions by protecting native vegetation, these land management activities significantly improve water quality runoff into the Burnett River headwaters, providing essential co-benefits for the Great Barrier Reef and local threatened ecosystems.