Wallar Bayan Carbon Project

Wallar Bayan Carbon Project is a savanna fire management project located on the Cape York Peninsula, approximately 50-60km west of Laura in Far North Queensland. It was registered in August 2026 and covers an extensive area of 158,311.24 hectares.

Savanna fire management (emissions avoidance) projects involve strategic, planned burning during the early dry season. This practice reduces the available grassy fuel load and helps prevent larger, more intense, and highly destructive wildfires from sweeping through the landscape during the late dry season. Under the 2026 Emissions Avoidance methodology, carbon credits are generated by calculating the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (specifically methane and nitrous oxide) that would have otherwise been released by those severe, unmanaged late-season fires.

The Cape York region is characterised by a tropical climate within a high rainfall zone (typically receiving in excess of 1000mm of rain annually), which supports robust savanna woodlands and native grasses. Soils in this area generally consist of sandy loams and lateritic earths. The predominant land uses in the surrounding region include large-scale cattle grazing, indigenous conservation areas, and national parks.

Interestingly, the project proponent, Olive Vale Pastoral Pty Ltd, is a prominent agricultural operator in the region that manages the expansive Olive Vale / Fairview Station. They have a history of involvement in various research and commercial trials, including a 2025 collaboration with Charles Darwin University investigating the agronomy and commercialisation of Australian native rice. The pastoral property has also been the subject of regional news and regulatory scrutiny, most notably a 2024 court victory against the Department of Environment concerning stray cattle and government "shoot to kill" operations near the bordering Lakefield National Park. This highlights the complex intersection of pastoral activities and environmental management in the region. Carbon Fix Pty Limited, a prominent carbon project agency, is also listed as an active participant in this venture.