Daryl Killin

When someone is looking to start a carbon project on their property, there are a few important questions they need to ask themselves first. The following article will try and help give people considering starting a carbon project, the information they need in order to make informed decisions about participating in Australia's new Carbon Farming Initiative.

First up, if you are a busy farmer or someone that is stretched for time, but still wish to have a successful carbon project up-and-running on your property, then you should consider outsourcing much of the 'heavy lifting' to a carbon company that specialises in their respective fields (i.e. Carbon Forestry, Capture and Combustion of Methane in Landfill Gas, Feral Animal Management etc). There is a few reasons why you should consider doing this.

For starters, there is A LOT of work involved in even getting the project approved by the Government in the first place, let alone getting to the fun part of actually 'doing' your carbon project (i.e. planting trees or capturing methane). It can't be underestimated just how much due diligence and just how much of your time, is required to get a project up and running (Trust me, I'm speaking from experience!).

Just under 12 months ago, Select Carbon was commissioned by Timber Queensland and the Queensland Government to do a Best Practice Guide for Timber Plantations in Tropical Cyclonic Areas. Today we are happy to announce the Guide has been finished and released for public viewing.

Please click here to view the Best Practice Guide for Timber Plantations in Tropical Cyclonic Areas

The guide reviews the impacts of tropical cyclones on the timber-growing sector of the tropical Queensland region. It aims to provide useful guidance to small and large growers on the factors that need to be considered when growing trees in this region. Variables explored in the guide include: tree species, plantation design, timber plantation age, location in the landscape and management (silvicultural) practices.

The Australian Standards relating to wind that are used by the building industry were examined to see what could be applicable to timber plantations. Wind shielding and topography were found toplay an important role in wind speeds. The Best Practice Guide for Timber Plantations in Tropical Cyclonic Areas of Queensland also includes a case study on Cyclone Yasi, with analyses of many of the sites and species that were directly impacted by the Tropical Cyclone.

The new 'carbon tax' is set to be introduced in July next year in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest economic reforms seen in Australia for a long time.

Businesses need to be ready whether they are liable to pay the carbon tax or not. All businesses must come to grips with the risks and opportunities arising from a price on Carbon and to ensure the types of support that are available are being optimised.

A lot of businesses simply don't know what they need to do and when they need to do it. Public confusion about the 'carbon tax' is obvious when I speak to people about the new laws.

However with a little careful planning, businesses will treat the new 'carbon tax' like they do any other uncertainty and volatility they deal with on a daily basis, and when the 'carbon tax' commences in July 2012, businesses wont be so daunted by the challenge of such a reform.