Headwater Custodians

The project is largely limited (for now) to New South Wales region known as the New England Tablelands which extends from Bolivia in the South to the Queensland border in the north. To find out if you are within the catchment area it is best to reach out by completing the contact form or sending an email directly.

Proximity to national parks does not affect participation, we recognise the inherent value of these parks and other conservation areas but they do not form any part of requirements.

As we are currently funded by the NSW Government sadly participants must be located within NSW. This may not always be the case so it is worthwhile joining our mailing list to stay up to date on future developments. Residents of other areas are encouraged to join Regen Farmers Mutual as similar projects and program are being rolled out in other areas.

Ideally yes however there are many ways in which you might consider helping out or just staying in the loop. There will be opportunities to attend events, access resources, volunteer on special projects and more. Joining us is opening the door to possibilities.

Regen Farmers Mutual is a company limited by guarantee. Our mission is to help Australian farmers aggregate their market power and landscape impact. Click this link to hear from one of the farmers involved in the mutual.

Primarily we are focussed on agricultural land however there may also be opportunity for landowners with large acreages to be considered. Sadly, it is not viable at the moment to consider land area under 30 hectares but that may change in the future. You may consider joining our community to stay up to date with future developments.

This is a difficult question to answer – we find that it depends on a lot of things including your context, your production units, your style of farming and obviously the method that is being considered whether that be tree planting or increase soil carbon. To understand the possibilities it is best to reach out for an initial chat with our Regen Advisor.

The best way to get started is by reaching out to our Regen Advisor to check eligibility over the phone or via email. Alternatively you can fill in the contact form and we will be in touch with you.

Headwater Custodians Project is managed by Regen Farmers Mutual a farmer owned and directed group. While there is no charge to become a member of the project there are many benefits of being a member of the mutual. There is costs associated with some services such as Carbon Project Scoping, Feasibility Reports and Project Registration with the Clean Energy Regulator. These are always discussed with you prior to ensure you are fully aware of any or all possible charges.

To start with an initial assessment of land eligibility and discussion around your goals and context will occur via phone or online meeting. We will advise you then of any issues or concerns that become evident. We will also invite you to join Regen Farmers Mutual as a member to ensure you have the full suite of tools our landowners use. During this process we will discuss your farm’s emissions and opportunities that may be available to you. You may be invited to apply for one of our grants to assist with funding investigations and project development.

You will need to demonstrate you have the right to make decisions about the land either through clear title or other documents. If we need anything further we will work with you to ensure the correct documents are available at the right time.

By joining the Headwaters Custodians Project you are not committing to any project development or covenants on your land. When developing projects with you there may be legal issues and other considerations that you will need to consider. In every case we will always advise you to seek independent legal and financial advise prior to any project agreement being prepared. We will work with you to ensure you have all the relevant information you need to be able to make an informed decision about proceeding with projects on your land.

When considering a carbon farming project we will assist you to understand the relevant guidelines associated with the particular method chosen. This might mean you will protect planted trees until they are big enough to not be damaged by livestock grazing or it might mean you will use the livestock to improve the soil carbon levels. It very much depends on the various methods and their management guidelines. We will work with you to chose the most appropriate method for your farming operation. The overall goal is not to impact your farming business negatively.

Investigation of project viability on your land is the first step. This is followed by a detailed report and discussions to ensure you understand all the information and are able to make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed. After that we will assist you in preparing the project documents ready for submission to the Clean Energy Regulator. Once the regulator has recieved your project submission we will assist you in any questions or additional information requested by the regulator and help you to develop a management plan to ensure your project is compliant every step of the way. Our Regen Advisors are here with you every step of the way.

You will have an option to decide on either a 100 year or a 25 year project. Most landowners opt for 25 years as this is a reasonable timeframe for them. The choice is ultimately yours.

It is important to consider the impact of succession and/or sale of property to ensure the longevity of the project. The project once registered is a commitment to continue the management actions for the chosen period of time. This means that new owners of a property will also need to comply with the project obligations. This may improve the overall sale ability or price of your property at sale due to the income being generated as a result of the project.

Grant funds are limited in both amounts and timing. At present we have a number of grants available with thanks to Regen Farmers Mutual and the NSW Government Pipap Program. Future funds may or may not be available. To determine your eligibility you can register by completing the Grant Form or reaching out to our Regen Advisor.

Australian Carbon Credit Units are a financial instrument that can be sold once earned by the project proponent. This may be one of many ways that you can diversify your income on farm. There is a lot of misinformation around carbon offsets and subsequently many landowners have formed an opinion about their willingness to participate in these style of projects. Headwater Custodians supported by Regen Farmers Mutual is different. Our Approach is to look at the landscape as a whole first and ask what can we do individually and collectively that makes economic and environmental sense. You can read more by clicking the link above.

The Australian Carbon Market was developed by the Federal Government in response to commitments made at COP15 in Paris. It is a way for the government to report against the work of lowering and avoiding emissions across all sectors. Agriculture is the only industry that can sequester carbon either in soil or in vegetation. Farmers are in the box seat in this regard. Carbon credits or ACCUs are the financial instrument that is generated when you have a registered and verified carbon sequestration event or project. There are a lot of checks and balances that occur on the way to generating ACCUs. The best resource is the Clean Energy Regulator.

A registered carbon project offers multiple benefits for your farming operation. By earning Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), you can generate additional income through carbon credit sales while improving your farm’s environmental health. Projects typically enhance soil structure, water retention, and biodiversity while reducing erosion risks and chemical input needs. These improvements lead to better farm productivity and climate resilience. You’ll also gain access to emerging environmental markets, technical expertise, and a network of like-minded farmers. Ultimately, participating in a carbon project is an investment in both your farm’s financial future and its long-term sustainability.

This depends very much on the style of project ie. the method chosen. Some projects will have a shorter reporting period and therefore crediting will occur sooner than others. For example, a typical planting project might be 5 years before any crediting occurs however a soil project may credit sooner. Our Regen Advisor will provide a cost benefit analysis with your feasibility study that will provide you with all the details for your proposed project.