Duncan Carbon Project 2

Duncan Carbon Project 2 is a soil carbon sequestration project located at Colosseum, approximately 20km southeast of Miriam Vale and 75km south of Gladstone in Central Queensland. Registered in January 2023, the project covers nearly 157 hectares on the "Irisvilla" property. The region is predominantly used for beef cattle grazing and forestry, benefiting from a high rainfall climate with a long-term average of around 1,200mm annually, although recent averages have been lower. The landscape is characterized by red loam and clay-loam soils, which are typical of this coastal hinterland region and highly responsive to improved management practices.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which rewards landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through changes in land management. Specific activities on this site include the application of nutrients to address soil deficiencies, pasture rejuvenation through seeding, and a shift in grazing intensity. The proponents, Lance and Kylie Stephenson, have transitioned the property from traditional set-stocking to a high-intensity rotational grazing system involves over 30 paddocks. This approach allows for long pasture recovery periods, which aims to boost vegetation cover and soil health.

A notable achievement for this project is its rapid crediting success; it is reported to be one of the first soil carbon projects in Australia to receive a second issuance of carbon credits under the specific Schedule 2 protocol. By intensifying management, the landholders have reportedly increased their stocking rate significantly, from 20 to 45 Dry Sheep Equivalents (DSE) per hectare, demonstrating that carbon farming can coexist with and potentially enhance agricultural productivity.