Mystery Park Soil Carbon Project

The Mystery Park Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located near the coastal township of St Lawrence, approximately 185km north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. Registered in May 2022, the project covers a significant area of 8,680 hectares.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method requires landholders to measure the baseline levels of carbon in their soil and then implement new management activities designed to increase those levels over time. Credits are issued based on the measured increase in soil organic carbon stocks, calculated after accounting for any emissions generated by the project activities.

The St Lawrence region is situated in the Isaac Region's coastal belt, characterized by a sub-tropical climate with a relatively high average annual rainfall of approximately 1,050mm, which is significantly wetter than the inland grazing zones. The landscape typically features coastal flats and undulating country with clay and alluvial soils. The primary land use in this area is beef cattle grazing, taking advantage of the high rainfall to support productive pastures.

This project is undertaken by Ainsley and Robert McArthur, well-known graziers in the region who have adopted regenerative agricultural principles. Facilitated by Carbon Link, the project activities focus on altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing, likely implementing time-controlled or rotational grazing strategies, to improve ground cover and soil health. The McArthurs have previously been featured in industry case studies for successfully increasing their property's carrying capacity through these ecological management techniques.