Soft Spinifex

Soft Spinifex is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 55km southeast of Barcaldine in Central West Queensland. Registered in March 2025, the project covers 1,375 hectares of agricultural land traditionally used for grazing operations. The project area sits within the semi-arid heart of Queensland, a region characterized by vast cattle and sheep stations.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This rigorous standard requires the proponent to physically measure soil carbon levels through core sampling to establish a baseline, followed by subsequent sampling rounds to prove sequestration over time. To generate credits, the project aims to increase soil organic carbon by altering stocking rates and grazing intensity. This approach, often referred to as time-controlled or rotational grazing, allows vegetation recovery periods that promote deeper root growth and greater carbon storage in the soil.

Environmentally, the Barcaldine region is classified as semi-arid, typically receiving between 450mm and 500mm of rainfall annually, which is highly variable and often concentrated in summer storms. While the broader region is known for the heavy, cracking clay soils (Vertosols) of the Mitchell Grass Downs, the project name "Soft Spinifex" suggests the presence of red earths or sandy loams (Kandosols) where Triodia pungens (Soft Spinifex) thrives. Unlike the unpalatable "hard" spinifex, soft spinifex is a valuable grazing resource in these rangelands, particularly when managed to maintain fresh growth.

The proponent, Naturebase Pty Ltd, manages the project. The focus on "Soft Spinifex" indicates a strategy tailored to the specific native vegetation of the site, leveraging the deep-rooted nature of perennial grasses to sequester carbon in the harsh outback environment.