Koumala Integrated Planting Carbon + Biodiversity ID R2-1503

The Koumala Integrated Planting Carbon + Biodiversity ID R2-1503 is an environmental reforestation project located in the vicinity of Koumala, approximately 50 to 60 kilometers south of Mackay in Central Queensland. Registered in December 2022, the project covers a total area of 251.69 hectares. The site is situated in a region predominantly utilized for sugar cane cultivation and cattle grazing, directly adjoining the Kelvin National Park.

Operating under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings" methodology, the project involves establishing permanent plantings of mixed native tree species on land previously cleared for agricultural use. This methodology generally requires planting at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover (typically over 200 stems per hectare) using species native to the local area. The project aims to sequester carbon through biomass growth while simultaneously restoring local ecosystems.

The Koumala region experiences a tropical climate characterized by high rainfall, particularly during the wet season, with annual averages frequently exceeding 1,500mm. The soil in this coastal belt typically consists of fertile alluvial soils and clays (Dermosols or Vertosols) which historically supported dense rainforest or eucalypt woodlands before agricultural clearing.

A key feature of this project is its participation in the Australian Government’s Carbon + Biodiversity (C+B) Pilot (Round 2), indicated by the identifier "ID R2-1503" in its name. This pilot program rewards landholders for increasing on-farm biodiversity in conjunction with carbon planting. The project represents a strategic partnership between the proponent, Aurizon Operations Limited, and the Mackay Regional Council. It is described as Aurizon's first nature-based carbon-offsetting tree reserve, designed to help the rail freight operator meet its target of net-zero operational emissions by 2050. Recent variations to the project area in October 2024 suggest adjustments to the registered boundary, possibly to align with the specific 118-hectare planting footprint cited in corporate announcements.