Twenty-three Western Australian landholders have worked with Independent Carbon Advisors to prepare carbon farming plans, helping them explore tree planting opportunities that deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
The work formed part of the Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which provides vouchers for farmers to access expert advice on the feasibility, costs and returns of carbon farming projects.
Independent Carbon Advisors - a collaboration between the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE), Carbon West and Richard Brake Consulting - prepared the plans for properties spanning Yuna in the north, east to Holt Rock, south to Albany and west to Busselton.
NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the program had given farmers a clear starting point for making decisions about carbon farming.
“Carbon farming can feel complex, but these plans break it down into practical steps,” Mr Beattie said.
“We’ve been able to identify which areas of land are suitable for tree planting, select species that match rainfall and soil types, and make sure those choices meet the requirements of the national Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme.”
The plans included spatial mapping, carbon yield predictions, and advice on legal and financial considerations.
Each was tailored to the landholder’s property and business goals, providing a roadmap for projects that sequester carbon and generate tradeable ACCUs.
Mr Beattie said the benefits extended well beyond carbon credits.
“Farmers are looking not just at the income stream from ACCUs, but also at how carbon farming can improve soil health, biodiversity and resilience across their properties. This program gave them the knowledge to plan with confidence.”
DPIRD’s Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program is part of the WA Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, which aims to build knowledge and capacity across the state’s emerging carbon industry.
