Across Australia, thousands of hectares of marginal land lie underutilised. Land that’s often deemed as too dry, too degraded, or simply too difficult to farm profitably. But what if marginal land could be used for another income stream? What if it could boost biodiversity, stabilise soil, sequester carbon and increase your bottom line? This can be made possible through earning Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from carbon farming projects.
Marginal Land Doesn’t Have to Mean Marginal Income
Marginal land is deemed as having low agricultural productivity due to poor soil, water scarcity or other challenges. Having additional space that isn’t creating income can be disheartening. But there is a win-win solution, as carbon farming offers an alternative solution that’s good for your pocket, the agricultural productivity of your land and native Australian species.
The New 2024 Reforestation Method for Marginal Land
On 1st October 2024, a new version of the Reforestation Method was released by the Clean Energy Regulator under the ACCU Scheme. The Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings 2024 method replaces the 2014 version and brings a range of improvements designed to make reforestation projects more efficient, more flexible, and more impactful. Here’s why it matters for marginal land regeneration:
1. Relaxed Spacing Rules for More Flexible Design
Planting now focuses on achieving stem density targets compatible with the carbon modelling software, FullCAM. This allows for more tailored planting layouts, particularly useful for land with irregular terrain or patchy soil, commonly on marginal land. Helping you utilise your space more efficiently, giving you more bang for your buck.
2. Harvest Your Own Seeds
The new method allows for the harvest of up to 20% of available seed from your plantings annually. Not only does this help solve seed supply issues, but it also offers a potential secondary income stream or a sustainable source for future plantings.
By leveraging the new reforestation method, you can:
- Earn income by generating and selling ACCUs
- Rebuild ecosystem services such as soil health and water retention
- Support biodiversity through native species planting
- Strengthen your farm’s long-term resilience
Regenerate What’s Been Overlooked
Marginal land can offer a lot of opportunities. With the right carbon method and the right support, it can become a thriving part of your property, and business model. As climate policy evolves, opportunities for landholders will continue to grow, and landholders that act earlier will reap the rewards.
How the Carbon Farming Foundation Can Help
At the Carbon Farming Foundation, we’re here to support landholders every step of the way. We’re a not-for-profit, which means our only goal is to help you succeed. We take 0% of your carbon credits, you simply pay for the support you need, when you need it.
We offer feasibility presentations to help you understand:
- Whether your land is eligible
- Where to plant to maximise credit yield
- What the project will cost and how the finances work over time
- What income you can expect at different carbon prices
- How to enhance co-benefits like biodiversity
- What risks to watch for and how to succeed
- How long it takes to get your project up and running
Each presentation includes a tailored map of your property, project planning tools, and expert guidance.
Interested in getting started? You can book a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our team here.
