Revegetation & Environmental Markets

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Cassowary Coast Regional Council undertakes and supports revegetation projects of all scales across the region — from small community plantings to large-scale habitat restoration. Situated between two World Heritage areas, the region’s rainforests and coastal ecosystems are home to unique and endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.

Council is also leading the way in environmental markets through local demonstration sites, showing how landholders and the community can participate, earn income and restore rainforest ecosystems. These projects explore how carbon sequestration and biodiversity gains can work hand-in-hand to deliver lasting environmental and economic benefits for the Cassowary Coast.

Drop into Council’s Community Nursery to find native plants grown right here in the Cassowary Coast — perfect for revegetation, habitat gardening and supporting local biodiversity.

 

Carbon Credits -Environmental Plantings (ACCU Scheme)

Carbon credits are a way of recognising and rewarding landholders for capturing carbon by planting and maintaining native vegetation. Each Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) represents one tonne of carbon dioxide stored or avoided. These units can be sold, providing a new income stream while also helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Cassowary Coast Regional Council, in collaboration with Innisfail State College and the Mamu Rangers, has established a demonstration site along the Johnstone River. This project shows how landholders can make use of under-utilised land, or transition part of their property from traditional farming to carbon farming.

At the Johnstone River demonstration site, plantings are laid out to fit existing farming machinery and workflows. Landholders can start projects quickly, with a 25-year crediting period and permanence obligations to maintain the carbon stored.

Carbon credits provide landholders with a new income stream while contributing to national climate targets. They are independently verified and can be sold to businesses and governments seeking to offset emissions.

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Cassowary Credits - Wet tropics Biodiversity Credits

The Ninds Creek demonstration site is the first project under the Cassowary Credit Scheme, developed by Terrain NRM and certified by Eco-Markets Australia. Cassowary Coast Regional Council partnered with the Mamu Rangers and Innisfail State College students to establish the plantings.

This landmark site shows landholders, councils and organisations how environmental markets work. It is a “stacked” project, earning both carbon credits and Cassowary Credits, and demonstrates how dual income can be achieved by combining carbon storage with biodiversity outcomes.

Cassowary Credits measure verified improvements in rainforest habitat condition, rather than carbon alone. They can be sold to buyers who want to support biodiversity, but unlike carbon credits, they cannot be used as offsets. By restoring marginal land, these credits create income opportunities, protect species habitat and generate local jobs, with independent verification ensuring trust in the results.

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Voices of the Forest

Voices of the Forest is a cultural education project created in partnership with Innisfail State College.

Students have recorded stories about individual native plant species planted in local reforestation projects. Each narration highlights:

  • the plant’s cultural and historical significance to Indigenous Australians

  • traditional uses and stories connected to Country

  • ecological roles and interesting facts about the species

This project links environmental markets with culture and learning. It helps the wider community understand the value of native plants while building pride in local heritage.

Listen below to the student recordings and learn the stories of the forest.

 

FAQ's and Contacts

Who can participate?
Local landholders, including farmers, graziers, councils and conservation groups.

How do landholders earn income?
By generating carbon credits under the ACCU scheme or biodiversity credits under the Cassowary Credit Scheme, which can then be sold to buyers.

Do projects interfere with farming?
Not necessarily. Carbon plantings can be designed around existing farming operations. Biodiversity projects usually focus on marginal or less productive land.

Why is Council involved?
To showcase local examples, share information and encourage participation that benefits the whole community.

Contacts & Resources

  • CCRC Natural Environment and Sustainability Team: 1300 763 903

  • Carbon Credits (Johnstone River): See the Clean Energy Regulator’s ACCU method guidance at dcceew.gov.au .

  • Cassowary Credits (Ninds Creek): More information at Terrain NRM and Eco-Markets Australia .

  • Voices of the Forest: Contact Innisfail State College for details on student recordings and participation.

 

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