Thistlebank Soil Carbon Project

Thistlebank Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located on Thistlebank Station, approximately 100km north of Aramac in Central West Queensland. Registered in September 2025, the project covers 5,702 hectares of the broader 22,800-hectare pastoral property. The project is situated within the Barcaldine Regional Council area, a region synonymous with extensive cattle and sheep grazing.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Measurement and Models), which credits landholders for increasing Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks. To generate credits, the proponent must establish a baseline through soil core sampling, implement new management activities to sequester carbon, and subsequently re-sample the soil to verify the increase. The specific activities on Thistlebank involve a transition from traditional set-stocking to high-density, time-controlled rotational grazing (often referred to as cell grazing). This approach aims to rest pastures for longer periods, promoting deep root growth and increased ground cover, which drives carbon drawdown.

Environmentally, the Aramac region is classified as semi-arid, featuring hot summers and variable rainfall generally averaging between 400mm and 500mm annually. The landscape in this northern section of the district typically consists of Mitchell Grass Downs, characterized by fertile, grey-brown cracking clay soils (Vertosols) and open plains, which are highly responsive to grazing management changes.

The project proponent, Thistlebank Grazing Pty Ltd, is managed by Ben and Kim Simpson, who have partnered with Carbon Link Operations as the project service provider. The Simpsons have publicised their shift toward regenerative agriculture principles, noting that the adoption of cell grazing has allowed them to significantly increase their cattle carrying capacity while improving pasture resilience. The operation is also known for utilizing advanced ag-tech, including GPS tags and walk-over weighing systems, to monitor herd performance and grazing patterns.