Catchment Conservation Alliance - Great Barrier Reef Initiative Site #15

Catchment Conservation Alliance - Great Barrier Reef Initiative Site #15 is an Avoided Clearing project located on the "Strathmore" property, approximately 20km southwest of Mount Perry in the North Burnett region of Queensland. Registered in November 2020, the project covers 1,341 hectares of native forest. The site is situated within the Burnett River catchment, an area predominantly used for cattle grazing and timber production, roughly 80km inland from Bundaberg.

The project operates under the Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth methodology. This method is designed for landholders who have a legal right to clear native forest on their property (usually for pasture expansion) and a history of having done so. By voluntarily agreeing not to clear this vegetation for at least 25 years, the proponent earns carbon credits for the emissions avoided. This approach allows the forest to mature, preserving the carbon stock in the trees and soil.

Environmentally, the North Burnett region experiences a sub-tropical climate with variable rainfall, generally averaging around 700mm to 800mm annually, which can be "harsh" and prone to drought. The terrain in this locality often features hilly landscapes with soils ranging from red volcanic earths to skeletal, rocky loams that are susceptible to erosion if vegetation is removed.

A notable feature of this project is its focus on co-benefits for the Great Barrier Reef. By retaining forest cover on the "Strathmore" property, the project reduces sediment run-off into the Burnett River, which ultimately flows into the Reef lagoon. The project is managed by GreenCollar (via Terra Carbon) in partnership with the Dempsey family, who have used the carbon revenue to "drought-proof" their cattle enterprise by installing new bores and dams. The protected area also provides critical habitat for native species, including koalas.