The Queensland Government’s investment in multi-million dollar carbon farming projects this year will see up to 1.9 million tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere and 1.8 million hectares of land restored.
Carbon farming presents an opportunity to restore balance, using the Earth’s land-based plant life and wetlands to naturally reabsorb excess carbon dioxide or change land management practices to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from human activities [1].
Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon, said the $2.1 million partnership between the State Government, GreenCollar and the Goondicum Pastoral Company was part of the state’s Land Restoration Fund to build the carbon farming industry in Queensland.
“This is creating local jobs for Queenslanders in a new industry,” Minister Scanlon said.
“We’re delivering close to $100 million worth of projects through the Land Restoration Fund that will create almost 690 jobs, with 400 of those in Far North Queensland.”
“Carbon farming helps us to reduce our emissions. But it’s also rapidly becoming a multi-billion-dollar global industry,” she said.
“By backing projects like this, we’re creating more jobs in more industries which is a core aim of our economic recovery strategy.”
The Beef and Conservation for the Future project aims to improve landscape connectivity and condition of habitat for threatened species in the Wide Bay-Burnett Region through avoided land clearing and regeneration of native forest.
CO2 Australia will receive $3.7 million which will go towards the Mungalla Carbon Project, a 16-year collaboration with the government.
Head of Ecosystem Markets and Innovation from CO2 Australia, Christopher Ewing, said the project will improve biodiversity and build greater connectivity with remnant native vegetation.
“This project will also improve water quality entering the local waterways and reaching the Great Barrier Reef from Mungalla Station, and develop the skills and employment of people from the Mungalla community,” Mr Ewing said.
The project will also improve water quality in the Burnett River, while demonstrating the financial and health benefits that can come from a diversified on-farm income.
18 projects have been secured and are now underway as part of the government’s Land Restoration fund. The full list of projects can be found by visiting www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change/land-restoration-fund/funded-projects
