Swartz Carbon Project 2

Swartz Carbon Project 2 is a soil carbon sequestration project located on Calliweera Farm, roughly 60km southwest of Rockhampton in the Fitzroy Basin region of Central Queensland. Registered in March 2022, the project covers approximately 404 hectares of grazing land. The area is part of the Rockhampton Regional local government area and is situated near the small locality of Gogango.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon (Measurement and Models) methodology, which incentivizes landholders to increase Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks through improved management practices. The project employs a "hybrid" approach, combining physical soil core sampling with digital modelling to measure carbon increases more efficiently. On Calliweera Farm, the landholders (the Warnock family) have transitioned from set stocking to rotational grazing, supported by significant investments in electric fencing and water infrastructure. Additional activities include the application of nutrients to address soil deficiencies and pasture rejuvenation to improve ground cover.

The environmental context of the Fitzroy Basin typically features a sub-tropical to semi-arid climate with summer-dominant rainfall averaging between 600mm and 800mm annually. The region is characterized by fertile but variable soils, often consisting of Vertosols (cracking clays) or texture-contrast soils derived from Brigalow scrub, which are highly productive for cattle grazing when managed to prevent erosion.

A notable aspect of the wider Swartz aggregation (which includes this project) is its rapid success; related projects on the same property were among the first to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) within just two years of registration, significantly faster than the typical five-year timeframe. This expedited issuance was enabled by AgriProve’s digital modelling approach. The improved soil health and pasture management have reportedly allowed the property to double its carrying capacity from 500 to approximately 1,000 head of cattle while simultaneously sequestering carbon.