Avondale Soil Carbon Project

Avondale Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon project located approximately 40km northwest of Blackall and 90km south-southwest of Barcaldine in the Central West region of Queensland. It was registered in March 2026 and covers a vast area of 18,565.28 hectares.

Soil carbon projects operating under the 2021 Measurement and Models methodology aim to increase the amount of carbon stored in agricultural soils. These projects require the proponent to undertake at least one new or materially altered management activity to improve soil health and vegetation cover, such as altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing. Proponents must also perform rigorous baseline soil sampling and use approved models over the course of the project to accurately quantify the volume of carbon sequestered.

The Blackall and Barcaldine area is largely characterized by a semi-arid climate with low and highly variable rainfall. The typical land use in this region is extensive sheep and beef cattle grazing. Soils generally consist of cracking clay plains typical of the Mitchell grass downs, interspersed with sandy red earths.

Interestingly, this project is managed by Graeme McDonald, with Carbon Link Operations Pty Ltd acting as the agent. McDonald recently registered two other similar soil carbon initiatives in the same region, the Moonbria Soil Carbon Project and the Wildhorse Soil Carbon Project. This indicates a coordinated, large-scale shift toward regenerative agricultural practices designed to promote soil vegetation cover and improve overall soil health across his holdings.