Wannon Water Emissions Offset Project

Wannon Water Emissions Offset Project is a reforestation and afforestation project located across five properties in Central Victoria, situated north-west of Melbourne. It was registered in July 2014 and covers an area of 360 hectares. The exact geographic boundaries and coordinates are suppressed on the public register under section 169 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.

Reforestation and afforestation projects under the 2013 methodology involve establishing permanent plantings of trees on land previously used for agricultural purposes. To meet standard requirements, the planting area must have been clear of forest for at least five years prior to commencement, and the planting must be managed to maintain permanent forest cover capable of reaching a height of at least two meters with 20% crown cover.

The Central Victoria region is traditionally known for dryland cropping, sheep grazing, and historical goldfields. The area typically experiences a semi-arid to moderate rainfall climate. The local soils generally consist of clay loams and relatively infertile sedimentary soils, making the environment ideal for hardy, drought-tolerant native vegetation rather than intensive agriculture.

This project is notable as a landmark initiative within the state's utilities sector. It was originally established in 2009 through a 50-year management agreement between the project proponent, Wannon Region Water Corporation, and CO2 Australia, making it the first carbon offset project of its kind in the Victorian water industry. The project involved planting approximately 450,000 Blue Mallee (Eucalyptus polybractea) trees. It actively generates Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and sequesters an average of 2,500 tonnes of CO2 each year. These carbon offsets play a critical role in helping Wannon Water, which primarily services the South West Victoria region, mitigate its energy-intensive water and sewage treatment emissions to reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.