Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board
Annual Report 2011–12
Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board Annual Report 2011–12
Related information is available at:
www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture
© Commonwealth of Australia 2012
With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms all material presented in this document under a
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence.
IMAGES:
Cover:
Burning—Bruce Rose
Farm gate—Andrew Tatnell
Eucalypt sapling—Andrew Tatnell
Aerial of tropical wetlands—Australian Heritage Commission
Indigenous hands and seeds—Steve Strike
Wheat paddock—Michael Marriott
Sunset—Allan Fox
Yellow Water Lagoon—John Baker
Page icons:
Sunset over the South Alligator River—John Baker
Peppermint box woodland on private land, Murray Bridge—Andrew Tatnell
Board:
Bob Debus, Lesley Hughes, David Crombie, Joe Ross–Andy Heaney
Anna Skarbek—Anna Skarbek
Internal images:
Page 7: Booderee National Park—John Houldsworth
Page 9: Overview of property showing water corridor through the cropping area—Lyle Radford
Page 10: Healthy growth of Cabbage Tree palms in area cleared of Lantana—John Baker
Page 11: Sunset over the ancient landforms of the Kununurra region—Michelle McAulay
Page 15: Saltspoon Daisies, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park—Director of National Parks
Page 17: Blue knob, NSW—Suze McLeod
Page 18: Large areas to be direct seeded—Graham Gates
Page 23: Wetlands with paperbarks and water lilies, Yellow Water Lagoon—John Baker
Page 25: Box gum grassy woodland on the property of the Job family, near Yeoval—Andrew Tatnell
Page 26: Wildflowers at Mount Hotham—Trevor Ierino
Page 27: On the way to the milking shed, near Cohuna—Cecilia Burke
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
The Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Minister
I present the Annual Report of the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board for the year ending 30 June 2012.
As required by section 81 of the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 (the Act), the report has been prepared in
accordance with the Guidelines for the Presentation of Documents to the Parliament provided by the Department of
Prime Minister and Cabinet.
I am pleased that the report notes great progress during the year in the implementation of measures under the Land
Sector Package of the Clean Energy Future Plan.
Under subsection 81(1) of the Act you are required to table a copy of the Annual Report in each House of Parliament.
I would like to recognise the contribution of each of the Board members in providing advice to you and the Australian
Government in relation to the implementation of the Land Sector Package.
We are pleased with the success to date.
I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of staff of the Departments of Climate Change and Energy
Efficiency, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for
their professional and collaborative approach to the establishment of the Land Sector Package.
Yours sincerely
The Hon Robert Debus AM
Chair, Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board
18 September 2012
CONTENTS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
1
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
4
MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD
6
MILESTONES 2011–12
8
LAND SECTOR PACKAGE
12
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
14
LAND SECTOR PACKAGE MEASURES
16
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2012–13
28
CALENDAR
29
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
I am pleased to present the 2011–12 Annual Report for the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board (the Board).
The Ministers responsible for implementation of the Land Sector Package are the
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Minister for Climate Change
and Energy Efficiency.
The 2011–12 financial year saw the announcement of the Clean Energy Future Plan including commencement of the
Climate Change Authority Act 2011 and the establishment and inaugural meeting of the Land Sector Carbon and
Biodiversity Board. This report highlights the milestones of the first year of implementation of the Land Sector Package
including the awarding of more than $340 million in grants through initial rounds of the Biodiversity Fund and components
of the Carbon Farming Futures program.
The first meeting of the Board was held in Canberra on 28 November 2011. The Board met as an interim board pending
royal assent of the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 which was granted on 29 November 2011. Between 28
November 2011 and 30 June 2012, the Board met three times.
The Board’s role is to:

advise the Minister/s on implementation, performance indicators and priorities for research in relation to the Land
Sector Package;

advise the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on implementation,
performance indicators and guidelines for the Biodiversity Fund; and

provide guidance on the implementation of the Land Sector Package.
Across the breadth of the Land Sector Package approximately $1.7 billion will be invested in seven interacting measures
(Figure 1) to help ensure the protection of Australia’s ecosystems and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The measures will assist industry, land managers, farmers and the community to develop skills, expertise and undertake
activities to store carbon in the landscape and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Figure 1.
Land Sector Package (For more details see p12–13)
Taken as a whole, the package is designed to foster partnerships across Australia between private and public land
managers of all kinds for the purpose of improving the capacity of the landscape to respond to climate change. It is
aligned with other existing Australian government priorities such as the National Wildlife Corridors Plan.
I am pleased that the Board has overseen a successful first year of implementation of the Land Sector Package and has
had an opportunity to help shape the measures which will ultimately contribute to a more resilient Australian landscape.
The Hon Robert Debus AM
Chair, Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board
18 September 2012
MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD
The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board is an independent advisory body which reports to the Minister for
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The Board consists of a Chair and four members.
Members are jointly appointed by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and
the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, in consultation with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Efficiency. Members are appointed based on their knowledge and experience in fields relevant to the Board’s functions.
The Board comprises:
The Hon Robert Debus AM (Chair)
Mr Robert Debus has expertise in environmental policy, governance and law. A former State and Australian Government
Minister, Mr Debus is the Independent Chair of the National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group that assisted with the
development of the Australian Government’s National Wildlife Corridors Plan.
Professor Lesley Hughes
Prof Lesley Hughes is an expert in the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems. She is a professorial
fellow with the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, a commissioner on the Climate Commission,
and a lead author on the IPCC fourth and fifth assessment reports.
Mr David Crombie
Mr David Crombie is a Director of GRM International, Australian Agricultural Company, Alliance Aviation Services and
Foodbank (Queensland) and is a Commissioner of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. He was
formerly President of the National Farmers Federation, Chairman of Meat and Livestock Australia and Chairman of the
Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
Mr Joe Ross
Mr Joe Ross is the former Chair of the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce. He is a member of the Bunuba
people in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Joe has been prominent in facilitating the development of the
National Indigenous Climate Change Project.
Ms Anna Skarbek
Ms Anna Skarbek is the Executive Director of Climate Works Australia, and is a director of the Clean Energy Finance
Corporation, the Carbon Market Institute, the Sustainable Melbourne Fund and the Thermometer Foundation for Social
Research on Climate Change.
MILESTONES 2011–12
Date
Milestones
November 2011
Royal assent of the Climate Change Authority Act 2011.
Appointment of members to the Board by the Minister for
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in
consultation with the Minister for Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency.
Inaugural meeting of the Board held in Canberra.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry launches Filling the
Research Gap Round One, and Action on the Ground Round One
under the Carbon Farming Futures program.
December 2011
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities launches Biodiversity Fund Round One.
Carbon Farming Initiative commenced operation.
March 2012
Second meeting of the Board held in Canberra.
April 2012
The Chair of the Board presented on the Land Sector Package
at the Natural Resource Management Knowledge Conference
in Adelaide.
May 2012
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities announces 317* successful projects for Biodiversity
Fund Round One.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announces
117 successful projects for Carbon Farming Futures Filling
the Research Gap Round One, and Action on the Ground
Round One.
Third meeting of the Board held in Canberra.
* Note: Of the 317 projects announced by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 313 projects are proceeding.
The 2011–12 financial year was a significant period in the commencement of implementation and delivery of the Land
Sector Package.
The establishment of the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board (the Board) under the Climate Change Authority
Act 2011 (the Act) saw the exciting start to three of the Land Sector Package measures, and the opportunity to provide
advice on a number of measures commencing in 2012–13.
A number of major initiatives commenced in 2011–12: the Biodiversity Fund and the Filling the Research Gap and Action
on the Ground components of the Carbon Farming Futures program, delivering inaugural rounds across the three
streams of activity.
The Board contributed to the deliberations on the outcomes of the first round of the Biodiversity Fund which has provided
grants to 313 projects to the value of $271 million. These projects collectively have the potential to substantially increase the
size of habitat areas for a range of species around the country, provide greater connectivity between them, reduce and
manage the threats of invasive plants and animals, and improve ecosystem services.
The Biodiversity Fund projects will provide significant opportunities for landscape resilience and make a considerable
contribution to Australia’s transition to a clean energy future through:

improved connectivity within the landscape;

revegetation, and management and enhancement of existing biodiverse carbon stores across significant tracts
of land;

enhanced biodiversity conservation outcomes for key areas of high conservation value, for example by restoring
and connecting remnant areas of vegetation adjacent to existing key assets such as Ramsar sites, World
Heritage Areas and National Reserve System areas;

long-term management of large parcels of land, providing longevity of outcomes for biodiversity conservation.
The first round of the Filling the Research Gap program has provided multi-year grants to 58 projects to the value of
$47.3 million to support research into emerging abatement technologies, strategies and innovative management
practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector, sequester carbon and enhance sustainable
agricultural practices.
The first round of the Action on the Ground program has provided multi-year grants to 59 projects to the value of
$25.2 million that are supporting more than 420 farmers from across the county to trial on-farm practices and
technologies to demonstrate how farmers can reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions or increase the
sequestration of carbon in soil on their properties.
These round one Filling the Research Gap and Action on the Ground projects cover a broad range of farming practices
and climatic and geographic conditions associated with the dairy, livestock (grazing and feedlot industries), horticulture
and cropping industries and will help farmers become more sustainable and resilient. The funding for these projects is an
investment in the future of Australia’s agricultural sector.
The Board has discussed how potential opportunities provided by the funding of these projects may improve biodiversity
conservation into the future. Options for facilitating information exchange will continue to be explored such as knowledgesharing best practice techniques and activities, and contributing lessons learned.
The Board provided advice on the implementation of the Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund, Regional Natural Resource
Management Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream one and two) and the Methodology Development program.
Each of these measures is due to commence in the 2012–13 financial year.
More information about each of the Land Sector Package measures is detailed further in this Annual Report.
Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board
Funding: $4.4 million over 6 years Administered by: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Carbon
Farming
Futures
Funding: $429
million over 6 years
(DAFF, DCCEE &
ATO)
2011–12 Financial
Year
(Administered):
$ 27.3 million
(DAFF & DCCEE) Nil
(ATO)
Administered by:
Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry;
Department of
Climate Change
and Energy
Efficiency; Australian
Taxation Office
Biodiversiy
Fund
Funding: $946.2
million over 6 years
2011–12 Financial
Year
(Administered):
$31.2 million
(Note: $271 million in
total committed to
Round One projects
up to 2016–17)
Administered by:
Department of
Sustainability,
Environment, Water,
Population and
Communities
Indigenous
Carbon
Farming
Fund
Funding: $22.3
million over 5 years;
17.1 million over 5
years (SEWPaC);
$5.2 million over 5
years (DCCEE)
2011–12 Financial
Year
(Administered): Nil
Administered by:
Capacity Building
and Business
Support Stream —
Department of
Sustainability,
Environment, Water,
Population and
Communities;
Research and
Development
Stream—Department
of Climate Change
and Energy
Efficiency
Regional
Natural
Resource
Management
Planning for
Climate
Change Fund
Carbon
Farming
Skills
CFI
Non-Kyoto
Carbon
Fund
Funding: $43.9 million
over 5 years; $28.9
million over 5 years
(SEWPaC); $15 million
over 4 years (DCCEE)
Funding: $4.2 million
over 5 years
Funding: $250
million over 6 years
2011–12 Financial
Year
(Administered): Nil
2011–12 Financial
Year
(Administered): Nil
2011–12 Financial
Year (Administered):
Nil
Administered by:
Department of
Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency
Administered by:
Department of
Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency
Administered by:
Stream 1—Department
of Sustainability,
Environment, Water,
Population and
Communities;
Stream 2—Department
of Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Filling the Research
Gap (DAFF): Under
round one 58
projects worth $47.3
million (over four
years) were
announced in May
2012. The first round
of the ABS Land
Management
Practice Survey has
been developed and
was sent to around
50,000 farm
businesses on 6
August 2012.
Under the
Biodiversity Fund
Round One, 313
projects worth
$271 million
(payable over six
years) have been
awarded funding*.
The successful
projects
demonstrate the
breadth of activity
and innovation in
the land sector
with recipients
undertaking to
enhance
biodiversity,
improve resilience
and increase
connectivity
across our
landscapes.
Action on the
Ground (DAFF):
Under round one 59
projects worth $25.2
million (over four
years) were
announced in May
2012.
Extension and
Outreach (DAFF):
Development of the
Extension and
Outreach program
delivery strategy.
Delivery of 21
Carbon Farming
Initiative (CFI)
workshops for
agricultural advisors
in regional centres
around Australia.
Commissioned 31
case studies of
potential CFI
projects.
Conservation
Tillage
Refundable Tax
Offset (ATO and
DAFF): On-line
form for the
Conservation
Tillage Survey,
available from 1
July 2012.
Methodology
Development
Program
(DCCEE):
Funding for
program
implementation
becomes available
in 2012–13.
* Note: Of the 317
projects announced by
the Minister for
Sustainability,
Environment, Water,
Population and
Communities, 313
projects are proceeding.
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Capacity
Building and
Business
Support Stream:
Funding for
program
implementation
becomes available
in 2012–13. Work
has been
undertaken
through 2011–12
on program design
and
development work.
Research and
Development
Stream: Funding
for program
implementation
becomes available
in 2012–13.
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Stream 1: Funding
for program
implementation
becomes available
in 2012–13. Work
has been
undertaken through
2011–12 on
program design and
development work.
Stream 2: Funding
for program
implementation
becomes available
in 2012–13.
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Funding for
program
implementation
becomes available
in 2012–13.
Work has been
undertaken
through 2011–12
on program design
and development
work.
Funding for
program
implementation
becomes available
in 2013–14.
Work has been
undertaken
through 2011–12
on program design
and development
work.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Climate Change Authority Act 2011 gives the Board responsibility for advising Ministers on the development of
performance indicators for the Land Sector Package measures.
Most Land Sector Package measures will commence in 2012–13. As these programs are still under development their
performance indicators have not yet been fully defined. During the course of 2012–13 performance indicators for each of
the measures will be developed and agreed and reported on in the 2012–13 Annual Report.
To ensure the quality of each Land Sector Package measure, both short-term and medium- to long-term indicative
performance indicators are being developed.
Short-term performance indicators
Short-term performance indicators will reflect program development throughout the initial phase of the Land Sector
Package. Short-term performance indicators will consider resources allocated, governance arrangements, scoping,
schedules, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Some short-term performance indicators of significance
include:

Amount and proportion of budget spent in 2011–12 and amount of future budget committed;

Number of proposals received; and

Number of projects funded.
Medium- to long-term performance indicators
Medium- to long-term performance indicators will reflect program deliverables or output indicators. These may include
uptake of Land Sector Package measures, ecosystem resilience, carbon abatement and lessons learned. The indicators
will seek to evaluate the performance of Land Sector Package measures in delivering the objectives of the Land Sector
Package.
For example, while the development of the monitoring and evaluation framework for the Biodiversity Fund will inform the
further refinement of performance indicators for the measure, indicative medium- to long-term performance indicators
which the Board has considered include:


Extent
−
hectares of plants successfully established in priority areas
−
survival rate of plantings
Condition
−

Connectivity
−

hectares of native vegetation successfully established in priority areas improved
number of patches connected / kilometres of linear linkages of native vegetation in priority areas; in existing
major corridors; in prospective major corridors
Spread of invasive species
−
populations of invasive species managed in priority areas; in existing major corridors; in prospective major
corridors
−
number of new invasive species present in priority areas
LAND SECTOR PACKAGE MEASURES
Biodiversity Fund
FUNDING
$946.2 million over six years
2011–12 FINANCIAL YEAR
$31.2 million (Administered)
ADMINISTERED BY
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities
Description of measure
The Biodiversity Fund is investing around $946 million over six years to help land managers store carbon, enhance
biodiversity and build greater environmental resilience across the Australian landscape.
To do this, it is funding land managers to undertake activities to restore, manage, and better protect biodiversity on public
and private land. It is also providing support to land managers who wish to take advantage of emerging opportunities in
the new carbon market. The Biodiversity Fund is providing support to establish new carbon stores or better manage
carbon stores associated with existing native habitat.
Round One opened for applications on 9 December 2011 and closed on 31 January 2012. A total of 1,530 applications
were received and assessed in accordance with the program guidelines. In June 2012, grants worth $271 million were
awarded for 313 projects covering many regions across Australia.
Monitoring and reporting
The Biodiversity Fund is engaged in a process that draws on internal and external expertise to develop a framework to
guide monitoring and reporting for the Biodiversity Fund. The department has engaged professional expertise to provide
additional guidance in this work.
Lessons Learned
Round One of the Biodiversity Fund was deliberately broad in its approach and achieved its goal of maximising
participation and securing innovative and varied proposals from applicants to the new program. Overall, Round One was
successful in attracting proposals that supports the measure’s objectives.
The Board has identified a number of areas where the investment approach could be modified in future to produce more
targeted outcomes. The Board has also identified an opportunity to improve the alignment of the Biodiversity Fund with
other strategic policies such as the National Wildlife Corridors Plan, to enhance delivery of Biodiversity Fund outcomes
and improve landscape connectivity and resilience in a changing climate.
Case study:
Bringing the forest back to the farm
Location: Subtropical region adjacent to Border Ranges and Great East Ranges, Queensland
Funding: $2,237,000 (excluding GST)
Partners: Subtropical Farm Forestry Association, Water and Carbon Group, Southern Cross University
The Biodiversity Fund is providing an opportunity for farmers in subtropical Queensland to test a new business model for
revegetating large parts of their land that are otherwise unused, creating biodiversity enhancements and a sustainable
revenue stream through carbon credits.
The project will establish 600 hectares of mixed species carbon sink forests in biodiversity corridors in the subtropical
region adjacent to the World Heritage Area of the Great Eastern Ranges.
The project partners see this as a pilot program with great potential to expand. They have already committed to working
with 120 landholders.
The project will involve field days and workshops to demonstrate the environmental and farm production benefits to
landholders, as well as local employment opportunities for the rural community. Carbon forest plantings will take place
progressively over the five year project period. The project also supports the outcomes being sought under the Australian
Government’s National Wildlife Corridors Plan.
Case study:
Reconnecting native ecosystems for long-term impact
Location: Coorong and Tatiara districts, South Australia
Funding: $2,250,000 (excluding GST)
Partners: Coorong District Council, Tatiara District Council, local landholders, South Australian and South East Natural
Resource Management (NRM) Boards, South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, South
Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
In South Australia, two local councils have joined forces to manage large scale biodiversity projects over five years to
help land managers protect and manage native habitats.
The Biodiversity Fund project will work across 1.5 million hectares, empowering landowners and the community to restore
and manage fragmented habitats including remnant vegetation and native wetlands. The project will protect native
vegetation and preserve high biodiversity value of the area through building knowledge and skills, and addressing ongoing
problems of weeds, rabbits and other feral animals.
One aspect of the project will revegetate an 8km boundary to connect two national parks, the Coorong National Park and
the Martin Washpool Conservation Park and manage risks to mitigate the movement of feral animals between the
national parks.
Carbon Farming Futures
FUNDING
$429 million over six years
2011–12 FINANCIAL YEAR
$27.3 million (Administered)
ADMINISTERED BY
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Australian Taxation Office
Description of measure
The Carbon Farming Futures program will provide $429 million over six years. The five components of the program will
ensure that advances in management practices, technologies and techniques will continue to evolve to reduce emissions
while maintaining productivity. These advances will allow farmers and other land managers to benefit from the economic
opportunities of the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) while assisting Australia in achieving its long term emission reduction
target.
There are five components of the Carbon Farming Futures program:
Filling the Research Gap program
The Filling the Research Gap program is investing around $201 million over the six years to support research into
abatement technologies and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector, store carbon in the
landscape and enhance sustainable agricultural practices. The research outcomes will support the development of offset
methodologies under the CFI.
The program will build on research undertaken through the $46.2 million Climate Change Research Program (CCRP),
which concluded on 30 June 2012. The new research projects will target current research gaps around abatement
technologies and practices identified through the CCRP to deliver practical options for land managers and farmers.
Future rounds of the Filling the Research Gap program will focus investments on research priorities identified in the
Research Strategy for the Filling the Research Gap. The Board provided advice on the development of the Research
Strategy for the Filling the Research Gap.
Filling the Research Gap is also funding the Land Management Practice Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS). Information from this survey will support the additionality test under the CFI.
Action on the Ground program
The Action on the Ground program is investing around $99 million over the six years to help land managers, farmers and
industry to trial on-farm abatement management practices and technologies to demonstrate how these can reduce
agricultural greenhouse gas emissions (methane and nitrous oxide) or increase and store carbon in soil.
Extension and Outreach program
The Extension and Outreach program is investing around $64 million over the six years to support a range of activities
that will provide information and support to land mangers, farmers, and their key influencers about the CFI and land
sector emissions management.
To do this, investments will support extension providers—building on the CFI Communications Program, existing
networks and supplementing with new services where required. The program will also fund the development of
information tools and systems and additional communication resources to boost awareness and build capacity for land
managers to undertake greenhouse gas mitigation practices and participate in the CFI.
Conservation tillage refundable tax offset program
The Australian Government is providing a 15 per cent refundable tax offset for new conservation seeding equipment
purchased and installed between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2015.
Carbon Farming Initiative Methodology Development program
The Methodology Development program (MDP) includes $19.6 million in funding to facilitate the development of Carbon
Farming Initiative (CFI) methodologies that expand the opportunities for the participation in the CFI of land managers.
This program is delivered by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE).
Approximately $7.2 million of the MDP will be allocated to collaborative grants projects that prepare CFI methodologies.
The Board provided advice to DCCEE to assist its preparation of program guidelines for this component of the MDP.
DCCEE expected to finalise and release the program guidelines in early 2012–13.
The balance of the MDP funding (approximately $12.4 million) will support the provision of expert advice and tools and
development of methodologies by DCCEE.
Lessons Learned
Monitoring and evaluation of these programs is important to ensure these programs continue to deliver successful
outcomes for the Australian public. The first monitoring and evaluation period for the Carbon Farming Futures programs
commenced in 2011–12.
Case study: Extension and Outreach program
Location: National
Partners: Regional Landcare Facilitators, CFI Communications Program
Over the past year, Regional Landcare Facilitators (RLFs) have been talking to farmers and land managers about the
CFI as part of the CFI Communications Program.
This year, the Extension and Outreach program activities built on these awareness raising activities by targeting
agricultural advisor groups, including agronomists, agribusiness representatives, industry associations and state
governments. The program recognised a need to inform these groups and individuals about the CFI as they play an
important role in delivering information to land managers.
As part of the program, 21 free advisor workshops in regional centres were held between 17 May 2012 and 14 June
2012. The workshops shared information about the CFI, explored what further tools and information the advisors and
their clients need and discussed how they would like to receive information in the future. They also provided a forum for
participants to talk about the opportunities and challenges of implementing the CFI in their regions, to ask questions and
provide feedback to the department.
The information shared at these workshops will help shape the design and ongoing delivery of the Extension and
Outreach program by identifying the opportunities, risks, needs and information gaps. This information will also inform
communications about carbon farming and the CFI to ensure that land managers, farmers and the broader community
have the knowledge and tools they need to participate and benefit from adopting these land management practices.
Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund
FUNDING
$22.3 million over five years
2011–12 FINANCIAL YEAR
Nil
ADMINISTERED BY
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Description of measure
The Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund (ICFF) will provide $22.3 million over five years to support Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people to participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). The Fund will be ongoing, commencing
in 2012–13, and delivered in two streams:
Research and Development Stream
The Research and Development Stream will provide $5.2 million in grants over five years to support research to
underpin Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) methodologies and the development of tools for estimating and reporting on
emissions. This stream will be delivered by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE).
Funding under this stream will be directed towards supporting and developing low-cost methodologies likely to have high
Indigenous participation to help create real and lasting opportunities for Indigenous Australians, such as savanna fire
management.
The Board provided advice to DCCEE to assist its preparation of program guidelines for this stream of the Indigenous
Carbon Farming Fund. DCCEE expects to finalise and release the program guidelines in early 2012–13.
Capacity Building and Business Support Stream
Funding of $17.1 million over five years will assist Indigenous organisations and individuals to assess, design or
implement carbon farming projects. Funds will be available to access carbon farming specialists and business
development expertise. This may include the provision of training, assessment of project opportunities or providing
advice on engagement in the CFI. It will also support the development of governance and contractual arrangements for
carbon farming businesses.
The CFI will enable Indigenous land managers to earn carbon credits by undertaking projects to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions or store carbon on the land. Savanna fire management and environmental plantings are current
methodologies approved under the CFI which may provide opportunities for Indigenous land managers.
This stream will be delivered by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
(SEWPaC). SEWPaC expects to finalise and release the program guidelines in early 2012–13.
Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Planning for Climate Change Fund
FUNDING
$43.9 million over five years
2011–12 FINANCIAL YEAR
Nil
ADMINISTERED BY
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Description of measure
The Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Planning for Climate Change Fund (the Fund) will provide $43.9
million over five years to help regional NRM organisations incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation measures
into existing regional NRM plans.
Climate change will present challenges and opportunities to rural and regional communities. Effective NRM planning for
climate change requires access to up-to-date climate change information at an appropriate scale and format, and the
capacity to apply this information effectively.
Regional NRM organisations will be supported to update existing regional NRM plans to guide planning for climate
change impacts on the land and to maximise the environmental benefits of carbon farming projects.
The updated plans will help to guide the location of biodiversity and carbon storage projects across the landscape to
maximise the benefits for biodiversity, water and agricultural production.
The Fund complements the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) and the Biodiversity Fund by supporting planning that will
help guide the types and locations of activities under these initiatives, especially reforestation activities, the management
of remnant vegetation, and to optimise the environmental, water and agricultural outcomes of CFI projects.
The Fund is divided into two streams:
Stream one—$28.9 million to support the 56 regional NRM organisations to revise existing regional NRM plans to
incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation approaches and help to identify where in the landscape adaptation
and mitigation activities should be undertaken. Stream one of the Fund is delivered by SEWPaC. Stream one will
commence in the first half of 2012–13.
Stream two—$15 million for coordination of research to produce regional-level climate change information in the form of
projections to support medium term regional NRM planning. Stream two will provide advice directly to NRM planners to
help them determine which climate change information is the most appropriate and how to take account of uncertainty in
planning for climate change. Stream two is delivered by the DCCEE.
The Board provided advice to DCCEE on its proposed approach to the delivery of stream two and incorporated that
advice in its design and planning processes. Stream two will commence in early 2012–13.
Carbon Farming Initiative Non-Kyoto Carbon Fund
FUNDING
$250.2 million over six years
2011–12 FINANCIAL YEAR
Nil
ADMINISTERED BY
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Description of measure
The Australian Government has committed $250 million to purchase non-Kyoto Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) credits
that cannot be used for compliance purposes by companies with obligations under the carbon pricing mechanism.
The Non-Kyoto Fund will increase incentives for activities that are not counted towards Australia’s emissions target under
current international carbon accounting rules, including soil carbon and revegetation.
The Fund will be delivered by DCCEE and will commence in 2013–14. DCCEE will consult with the Board on the design
of the Fund during 2012–13.
Carbon Farming Skills
FUNDING
$4.2 million over five years
2011–12 FINANCIAL YEAR
Nil
ADMINISTERED BY
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Description of measure
The Carbon Farming Skills program will ensure that landholders have access to credible, high quality advice and carbon
services. It will do this through development of an accreditation scheme for key carbon service providers who operate
under the Carbon Farming Initiative and a new nationally accredited qualification in carbon farming. The measure is
delivered by DCCEE.
Options for implementing the accreditation scheme were being considered during 2011–12 and DCCEE expects to
consult with the Board and other stakeholders on the scheme’s design and development of the qualification in carbon
farming in early 2012–13.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2012–13
The Board will continue to provide advice to Ministers and relevant government agencies on the Land Sector Package to
assist the Australian Government in implementing its Clean Energy Future Plan.
The Board will continue to provide advice to the Ministers as required and progress work to assist implementation and
delivery of the Land Sector Package including:

advising on mechanisms for greater alignment between the Land Sector Package measures and application of
lessons learned across programs; and

engaging with stakeholders and departments to help ensure that investment occurs in activities that deliver the
objectives of the Clean Energy Future plan.
The financial year 2012–13 will see the Board assist in achieving a number of implementation milestones for the
Package, for example:
Biodiversity Fund future investments
While the first round of the Biodiversity Fund was deliberately broad in its reach and application, future investments
under the Biodiversity Fund may take a more thematic and/or regionally based targeted approach to deliver more
specific landscape outcomes going forward. The Board will consider and provide advice on the targeting of future rounds
and potential priorities for investment.
Development and implementation of the Biodiversity Fund monitoring and reporting
framework
The Board will continue to provide advice on the development and finalisation of a monitoring and evaluation framework
for the Biodiversity Fund in 2012–13.
Development of performance indicators for the Land Sector Package
The Board will continue to provide advice to Australian Government on the development of performance indicators for
the Land Sector Package measures to inform the Board’s annual reporting to Parliament on the success of the Land
Sector Package measures.
CALENDAR
Significant dates for the Land Sector Package
Measure
Dept
2011–12
2012–13
2013–14
2014–15
2015–16
2016–17
Land Sector Carbon and
SEWPAC
Biodiversity Board
Round 1
Biodiversity Fund
Round 2
SEWPAC
Round 3
Round 4
Rounds 5 & 6
Claim tax offset
Claim tax offset
Claim tax offset
on equipment
on equipment
on equipment
purchased
purchased
purchased
2012–13
2013–14
2014–15
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
(Oct 2011)
Program
Carbon Farming Initiative
DCCEE
commences
Non-Kyoto Carbon Fund
Program
Carbon Farming Skills
DCCEE
commences
CARBON FARMING FUTURES PROGRAM
Round 1
Filling the Research Gap
DAFF
Round 2
Round 3
Round 2
Round 3
(Nov 2011)
Round 1
Action on the Ground
DAFF
(Nov 2011)
Extension and Outreach
DAFF
Round 1
Conservation
Conservation Tillage
DAFF &
tillage survey
Refundable Tax Offset
ATO
available
Methodology Development
DCCEE
Round 1
Program
INDIGENOUS CARBON FARMING FUND
Capacity Building and
SEWPAC
Round 1
DCCEE
Round 1
Business Support Stream
Research and Development
Stream
REGIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE FUND
Stream 1
SEWPAC
Round 1
Stream 2
DCCEE
Round 1
Round 5