Southern Downs Conservation Initiative - Site # 1

Southern Downs Conservation Initiative - Site # 1 is an Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth project located in the Southern Downs region of Queensland, approximately 40km northwest of the major town of Stanthorpe. The project was registered on June 29, 2022, and covers a substantial area of 1,964 hectares. The surrounding region, often referred to as the "Traprock" country, is historically dominated by fine wool and sheep grazing, as well as cattle production and some forestry operations.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth) Methodology Determination 2015. This methodology is designed for landholders who possess a legal right to clear native regrowth forest but choose instead to retain it. To be eligible, the land must show evidence of a history of clearing and regrowth (typically having been cleared at least twice in the past) for agricultural use such as grazing. By surrendering the right to clear, the project generates carbon credits by avoiding the emissions that would have resulted from the destruction of the biomass and the subsequent decomposition of debris.

Environmentally, the site is situated in a region characterized by a warm temperate climate with summer-dominant rainfall, averaging approximately 600mm to 700mm annually. The soils in this specific part of the Southern Downs are typically shallow, gravelly "traprock" soils or sandy loams derived from sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, which are well-suited to native eucalypt woodlands but can be fragile under intensive clearing.

An interesting note regarding this project is its proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited, which acts as a subsidiary of the GreenCollar Group. GreenCollar is one of Australia's largest environmental markets investors, widely known for partnering with graziers to integrate carbon farming into active agricultural enterprises, thereby diversifying on-farm income streams.