Swartz Carbon Project 2

Swartz Carbon Project 2 is a soil carbon sequestration project located at Calliweera Farm, approximately 55km northwest of Rockhampton in the Fitzroy Basin region of Queensland. Registered in March 2022, the project covers 404 hectares and is part of a larger aggregation of 11 soil carbon projects managed by the Warnock family, who have farmed the property for over five generations.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology. This framework awards carbon credits for measurable increases in soil organic carbon stocks resulting from new land management activities. Specifically, this project implements rotational grazing to alter stocking intensity, applies synthetic or non-synthetic nutrients to address soil deficiencies, and rejuvenates pastures through seeding. A significant administrative update occurred in September 2025, when the project formally varied its method from the 2018 determination to the 2021 version, which allows for a hybrid approach of physical soil sampling and modelling to reduce measurement costs.

The local environment in the Fitzroy Basin is characterised by a sub-tropical, semi-arid climate with highly variable rainfall, typically averaging between 600mm and 800mm annually. The region is predominantly grazing land supported by heavy clay soils, often associated with Brigalow scrub landscapes, which are capable of significant carbon drawdown when managed effectively. As part of the broader Swartz aggregation, the proponents have reported substantial productivity benefits, including a 100% increase in stocking rates (from 500 to 1,000 head) alongside improved soil health.