Swartz Carbon Project 9

Swartz Carbon Project 9 is a soil carbon sequestration project located on Calliweera Station, near the locality of Morinish, approximately 40km northwest of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. Registered in March 2022, the project covers 243.54 hectares within the broader Fitzroy Basin, a region heavily utilized for beef cattle grazing.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology. This method requires establishing a soil carbon baseline through physical sampling, implementing new management activities to sequester carbon, and verifying increases through subsequent measurements and modeling. The specific activities for this project include transitioning from set stocking to high-density rotational grazing, applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, and rejuvenating pastures through seeding.

Environmentally, the region experiences a sub-tropical, summer-dominant rainfall pattern. The soil composition in the Morinish area is varied, typically featuring texture-contrast (duplex) soils and cracking clays associated with cleared Brigalow scrub. These soils are often prone to erosion, making ground cover management critical.

A notable feature of Swartz Carbon Project 9 is its integration into a larger aggregation managed by the Warnock family, encompassing 11 individual projects over 2,000 hectares. The project is recognized for its rapid performance, achieving ACCU issuance within just two years of registration, significantly faster than the typical five-year timeframe. Through the adoption of rotational grazing infrastructure, such as electric fencing and new water points, the proponents have reportedly increased their stocking rate by 100% (from 500 to 1,000 head) while simultaneously improving soil health. Additionally, the project is linked to the Queensland Land Restoration Fund (LRF), acknowledging co-benefits such as reduced sediment runoff into the Great Barrier Reef catchment.