Higgs Carbon Project (Revoked)

The Higgs Carbon Project (Revoked) was a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Meander Valley region of Tasmania, approximately 15km southwest of Launceston. Registered in November 2020, the project covered a substantial area of 2,180 hectares near the localities of Breadalbane and Relbia. On December 16, 2024, the project was revoked under Section 30 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015, which typically indicates a voluntary revocation requested by the proponent.

The project operated under the Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems methodology. This method credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through changes in land management. In this specific instance, the project aimed to build carbon stocks by altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing activities. This approach is designed to improve soil health and vegetation cover, thereby capturing atmospheric carbon in the soil profile.

The surrounding Northern Midlands region is a significant agricultural hub known for diverse farming, including fine wool production, livestock grazing, and cropping. The area is characterized by a cool temperate climate with moderate annual rainfall, typically ranging between 600mm and 700mm. Soils in this region are variable but often consist of sandy loams and clays found within the Launceston Tertiary Basin, which differ from the rich basalt soils found further to the northwest.

Facilitated by Agriprove Solutions, a prominent soil carbon project developer in Australia, the project was part of a wave of soil carbon initiatives in the region. The voluntary revocation suggests that while the project was registered, the proponents or landholders decided to withdraw it from the scheme, potentially due to land sales, changes in commercial strategy, or a determination that the project was not viable under current conditions.