Australia’s first registered site to deliver both Carbon Credits and Cassowary Credits was officially launched today at Ninds Creek, with more than 70 volunteers planting 3,000 native trees as part of the milestone event.
The event marks a key moment in the rollout of the new Cassowary Credits biodiversity program, designed specifically for the Wet Tropics region to reward landholders for restoring and protecting native ecosystems.
The project is part of a long-term effort to restore rainforest, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Councillor Jeff Baines, Environment portfolio holder praised the initiative and joined volunteers in planting, calling it an exciting moment for the nation’s first carbon stacking project.
“This project is about action and leadership, not just for the Cassowary Coast, but for the whole country,” said Councillor Baines.
“Eco Markets Australia and Terrain NRM has led an incredibly important initiative, and Council is proud to support such a significant step forward in nature-based solutions that deliver for both biodiversity and climate.”
Mamu Traditional Custodian and Trainee Land and Sea Ranger Inggui Hart shared the importance of restoring Country through collaboration.
“Being on Country means a lot,” said Mr Hart. “Today we’re planting over 3,000 native trees with the help of volunteers, Terrain NRM, Council and C4.
“As a Traditional Owner, it’s great to see native species being returned to Country.
“We’ll be helping monitor the site and watching as the native animals and ecosystems return.” Terrain NRM’s Bronwyn Robertson explained that ‘stacking’ allows landholders to earn both Carbon Credits for carbon storage and Cassowary Credits for biodiversity protection on the same parcel of land.
“The Cassowary Credit Scheme has been approved for stacking by the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator,” said Ms Robertson.
“Up to 50,000 hectares across the Wet Tropics region have the potential to be part of this new environmental finance program, which focuses on land that’s considered unsuitable for agriculture.”
This landmark project is the first of its kind in the Wet Tropics, combining Carbon and Cassowary Credits on a single site.
