Swartz Carbon Project 4

Swartz Carbon Project 4 is a soil carbon project located on Calliweera Station in the locality of Morinish, approximately 50km northwest of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. Registered in March 2022, the project covers roughly 502 hectares and is part of a larger aggregation of 11 soil carbon projects managed by the Warnock family, who have farmed the area for five generations. The region is predominantly used for beef cattle grazing, situated within the extensive Fitzroy Basin catchment.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits increases in soil organic carbon stocks resulting from new management activities. To achieve this, the proponents have transitioned from set stocking to rotational grazing, allowing for varying intensity and duration of grazing to promote pasture recovery. Additional activities include the application of nutrients to address soil deficiencies and pasture rejuvenation through seeding.

Environmentally, the Morinish area experiences a sub-tropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters, with rainfall heavily summer-dominant. The landscape in the Fitzroy Basin typically features texture-contrast soils and cracking clays (Vertosols), which are capable of significant carbon sequestration when ground cover is maintained to reduce sediment runoff.

A notable success of the Swartz aggregation is the speed of its credit issuance; the project generated Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) within just two years of operation, compared to the typical five-year timeframe. The implementation of high-density rotational grazing has reportedly allowed the landholders to increase their stocking rate by nearly 100% while simultaneously improving soil health and vegetation cover.