In June 2023, the department awarded 5 contracts to measure the restoration benefits and develop accounts for the 5 project sites selected through the Blue Carbon Ecosystem Restoration Grants.
The projects will demonstrate the climate, biodiversity and cultural benefits, and the financial values of ecosystems services, resulting from blue carbon ecosystem restoration.
The restoration impacts for each of the project sites will be measured, and project level accounts developed to report on the outcomes, both in physical and monetary terms.
Information on the diverse benefits achievable and financial value from restoring coastal ecosystems will inform better investment, policy and management decisions in restoring coastal ecosystems.
The projects will also be applying and testing approaches recommended in the Guide to Measuring and Accounting for the Benefits of Restoring Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystems.
5 contracts were awarded to:
| Organisation | Project | Expected benefits to be measured |
|---|---|---|
|
Griffith University |
Sunshine Coast, Queensland |
Carbon sequestration and emissions reduction, habitat services and biodiversity (including the water mouse, birds and fish), recreation and water quality |
|
Greening Australia |
Ingham, Queensland |
Benefits for First Nations people (to be co-designed with the Nywaigi Traditional Owners) and biodiversity |
|
The University of Adelaide |
Port Gawler, South Australia |
Carbon sequestration, marine biodiversity and habitat services, water quality, coastal protection, commercial fishing and community benefits |
|
Blue Carbon Services |
Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon, Tasmania |
Carbon sequestration, coastal protection, habitat services and biodiversity (including mammals, migratory and non-migratory birds, terrestrial invertebrate, bats, fish), water quality, recreational fisheries and social values |
|
Flinders University |
Upper Gulf St Vincent, South Australia |
Habitat services and biodiversity (including saltmarsh and mudflats, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, fish, mammals, reptiles, migratory and non-migratory birds), water quality, social and cultural values |
These projects will conclude in mid-2025. Reports on each of the project sites will be developed in late 2025.
For further information please email BlueCarbon@dcceew.gov.au.