Wirra Pastoral Soil Carbon Project

The Wirra Pastoral Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located in Central Queensland, aggregating two distinct properties: "Wirra," situated approximately 50km south of Biloela in the Banana Shire, and "Mt Bison," located near Marlborough, about 100km north of Rockhampton. Registered in September 2025, the project covers a total area of 3,928 hectares. The proponent, Wirra Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, acts as the trustee for the A & M Shannon Family Trust, partnering with service provider Carbon Link Operations.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Measurement and Models), which credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon stocks through changes in land management. The Wirra Pastoral project specifically focuses on altering stocking rates and grazing intensity to improve soil health. This approach, often referred to as time-controlled or regenerative grazing, aims to increase ground cover and root mass, thereby sequestering more carbon from the atmosphere into the soil profile.

The region encompasses a warm sub-tropical climate with distinct environmental conditions across the two sites. The "Wirra" property in the Banana Shire typically experiences annual rainfall around 650mm and features soils ranging from sandy loams to fertile brigalow and softwood scrub loams. The "Mt Bison" property near Marlborough enjoys a higher average rainfall of approximately 850mm. The proponents, Alastair Shannon and Melanie Shannon, are active members of the Barfield Road Producer Group and have been vocal advocates for the red meat industry's Carbon Neutral 2030 (CN30) goals, utilising these carbon farming activities to build drought resilience and pasture biodiversity.