From paddock to rainforest: How farmers could earn by helping the environment

WATCH: Everything you need to know about Australia’s first ever biodiversity credit here in FNQ

Old paddocks are set to be transformed into potential money making rainforest after the launch of Australia’s first biodiversity credit in the Wet Tropics.

A total of 3500 native trees were planted on Thursday at the once weed-infested Ninds Creek property east of Innisfail to open the first Cassowary Credit location.

Biodiversity credits create a mechanism for landholders to revegetate unproductive land and improve its ecological value, which can then be traded and purchased.

Canberra local Josh Souton made the journey to Innisfail to volunteer his support for the project. Picture: Tim Little.

Biodiversity project co-ordinator Bronwyn Robertson said the Cassowary Credits were designed to capture international interest in environmental markets.

“There’s lots of interest from companies and organisations wanting to purchase biodiversity credits and this project in particular puts the region on the front foot to capitalise,” Ms Robertson said.

“What we know is that across the entire Wet Tropics region, there’s around 50,000 hectares of unproductive or marginal agricultural land.

“We’re targeting those areas that are too steep for traditional agriculture or might have poor soils, areas that are close to creek banks, where we can really deliver good biodiversity outcomes and not impact on other agricultural land uses.

“A tree planting and a biodiversity credit scheme is a really good option to provide employment for the regional community and actually generate an income for the work that you’re doing.”

The Ninds Creek site owned by the Cassowary Coast Council has the potential to stack both carbon and biodiversity credits.

Cassowary Coast Councillor Jeff Baines believed emerging biodiversity and carbon markets could be a valuable revenue stream for the council in years to come. Picture: Tim Little.

Cassowary Coast Councillor Jeff Baines said he believed the project was a unique opportunity for council.

“We’re ground truthing this so that when other landholders are considering it, we can show them the data, we can tell them this does work and encourage them to also get an economic benefit for their environmental work on their land,” he said.

“Council has a lot of reserves that are just laying around. We have a lot of drains and waterways. That’s the sort of projects that we can look forward into the future of developing into this eco economy.

“A big trick within our region is we can’t close down entire farms. It’ll end up destroying our economy but there’s waterways and drains running through all these agricultural properties that lend themselves to a project like this.”

Hana Ward was one of dozens of volunteers who devoted their morning into planting hundreds of native trees.

In recent years, emerging environmental markets have faced scrutiny for their effectiveness and integrity.

In 2021, for example, it was revealed millions of dollars were paying for “avoided deforestation” where landholders received credits for stopping land clearing that realistically was unlikely to occur.

Ms Robertson said the extensive checks and cumulative value of Cassowary Credits would ensure its integrity.

“We do a baseline measure of the biodiversity … we were starting with a completely weed- infested site so the baseline measure for this site was very, very low,” he said.

“But, over time, we measure that change in biodiversity, so we do a standard measure, and over time, the biodiversity value of this site is really going to increase considerably.”

After decades of persistent rainforest clearing Mamu indigenous ranger coordinator Matt Gillis was proud to see trees back in the ground. Picture: Tim Little.

The project’s success will be realised in coming years as the value of credits increase with the benefit they provide.

Mamu Indigenous Cooperation ranger co-ordinator Matt Gillis said regardless it was positive to see trees in the ground.

“Think about the amount of land that’s been cleared around here for agriculture,” he said.

“It’s good to see the restoring habitat and the biodiversity and just the trees and the rainforest.

“A lot of these lowland rainforests are still being cleared for cane, bananas and cattle so it’s good to see it returned to where it used to be.”

Originally published as From paddock to rainforest: How farmers could earn by helping the environment