Yaloak Estate Carbon Plantings #1 Project (Revoked)

Yaloak Estate Carbon Plantings #1 Project (Revoked) was a reforestation project located on the expansive Yaloak Estate, approximately 20km south of Ballan and 60km west of Melbourne, Victoria. Registered in March 2015, the project covered a significant area of 5,741 hectares. The Yaloak Estate is a well-known agricultural property in the region, historically utilized for grazing (wool and beef) and cropping, and is famous for hosting the Yaloak Polo Club and a wind farm.

The project operated under the Reforestation and Afforestation-1.2 methodology, a standard under the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) that required establishing permanent plantings on land clear of forest for at least five years. Specifically, this project focused on planting Eucalyptus cladocalyx (Sugar Gum) and Corymbia maculata (Spotted Gum), species often selected for their durability and shelterbelt qualities. The project was revoked in March 2017 under section 33 of the CFI Act, following the completion of its abatement contract (CAC597637) in late 2016.

The region is characterized by a high rainfall zone, typically receiving over 500mm annually. The soil composition at Yaloak Estate is distinct, consisting predominantly of duplex sodosols, specifically a basalt clay-loam topsoil overlying heavy sodic clay. This soil type, while fertile, can be prone to waterlogging and subsoil constraints. The revocation of the project preceded the high-profile sale of the estate in 2020 to a foreign-backed agricultural firm, suggesting the carbon project was closed out to clear the title or due to a change in land management strategy.