Carbon Farming Study highlights co-existence principles as important as ever in SWQ
> DOWNLOAD THE STUDY
The South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) has today released a comprehensive Study into the Impacts of Carbon Farming in South West Queensland Communities.
The Study takes a deep dive across five capital dimensions (natural, human, social, financial and physical) to understand how carbon farming has impacted not just the economics of local and regional economies, but also the social and environmental factors that shape communities.
Cr Shaun Radnedge, Mayor of Murweh Shire Council said: “At times we have felt at the epicentre of the industry’s development, with South West Queensland hosting a large number of carbon farming projects compared to other regions across Australia. That cumulative effect can sometimes be polarising and while industry development and investment is always welcome in South West Queensland, it needs to happen at a pace that is manageable and has regard to the aims and aspirations of host communities.”
Cr Suzette Beresford, Mayor of Paroo Shire Council welcomed the study saying: “It has validated a number of issues, including that further work was required to examine how ‘absentee’ carbon farmers were best included under the scheme and that it was essential that co-existence principles be at the heart of Government policy and industry practice.”
“At the end of the day, carbon farming, like any new industry must be able to co-exist with existing industries and support broader regional development goals such as workforce participation, population retention and growth as well as community cohesion”.
“The study has given the collective councils of the region a solid evidence base to talk further with their local communities, industry and of course Government, and that’s exactly what we plan to do with the new Crisafulli Government,” Cr Beresford said.
Key statistics from the Study reveal that:
The uptake of carbon projects in the region has slowed since 2017, with rapid uptake in the early years of the scheme 2014-16.
Thirty percent of properties in the region derive an income from carbon farming. The majority of which reported using more than half of their land for carbon farming.
Underlying data suggests that the region is economically resilient. The region has maintained stable average business income over the same period and gross regional production has steadily increased with no strong trends observed with the introduction of carbon farming.
Historical data demonstrates the region has experienced long-term population declines in the order of one percent per annum.
Seven percent of the survey respondents were against carbon farming with the majority neutral or positive, noting that some landholders were difficult to reach.
Local communities have ongoing concerns most significantly about the impacts of absentee landholders and risks, including effective neighbourly collaboration regarding pests, weeds and fire.
Carbon Farmers observed fewer pests, kangaroos and less fire on their properties in the past 10 years and higher vegetation on farm, farm profitability and soil health compared to non-carbon farmers.
The Study is the result of collaborative efforts between SWQROC, the Australian Government, the Queensland Government, the Clean Energy Regulator, the Carbon Market Institute along with the Study consultants Pollinate and Band Consulting.
The Study Final Report can be downloaded here: DOWNLOAD