Broken Patch

Broken Patch is an environmental planting project located in the Byron Shire hinterland, approximately 5km southeast of Mullumbimby and 10km west of Byron Bay in New South Wales. Registered in October 2025, the project covers a small but significant area of 10.50 hectares. It is situated in a region historically dominated by the "Big Scrub" subtropical rainforest, which was extensively cleared for agriculture in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2024. This methodology incentivizes the establishment of permanent native forests on land that was previously cleared (typically for at least five years). The "environmental planting" classification requires the proponent to plant mixed native species, trees and shrubs local to the area, at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover (typically requiring a potential crown cover of at least 20% and a height of 2 meters). Carbon abatement is calculated using the FullCAM model, which estimates carbon sequestration based on the specific location, species mix, and management activities.

Geographically, the site sits within the Northern Rivers region, an area characterized by a humid subtropical climate and high rainfall, often exceeding 1,500mm annually. The soils in this locality are generally fertile, well-draining red krasnozems (basaltic soils) or clays derived from the ancient Tweed Volcano, supporting rapid vegetation growth. The surrounding land use is a mix of cattle grazing, macadamia horticulture, and an increasing number of lifestyle and conservation properties.

An interesting local detail is that the project proponent, Emiliano Cataldi, is a prominent figure in the local tourism industry, working as a hot air balloon pilot for Balloon Aloft Byron Bay. His familiarity with the landscape from the air likely provides a unique perspective on the value of reforesting fragmented "patches" of the hinterland. The project name "Broken Patch" suggests an intention to repair a fragmented section of the landscape, contributing to the connectivity of wildlife corridors in this biodiversity hotspot.