Biodiverse Carbon Conservation SAW1

Biodiverse Carbon Conservation SAW1 is an aggregated environmental planting project located across multiple reservoir catchment areas in the Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia. Specifically, the project sites are situated around the Millbrook, Mount Bold, and Myponga reservoirs, ranging from approximately 25km north-east to 60km south of Adelaide. Registered in August 2015, the project covers a total area of 551.28 hectares.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) methodology. This involves establishing permanent native forests on land that had been cleared of trees for at least five years prior to commencement. Unlike commercial forestry, environmental plantings are not intended for harvest; they are designed to establish permanent forest cover using species native to the local area, typically at a density sufficient to reach forest crown cover thresholds (often over 400 stems per hectare). The carbon sequestration is calculated using the FullCAM model, a computer tool that estimates carbon stock based on tree growth data rather than manual field measurements.

The region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The Mount Lofty Ranges are considered a high-rainfall zone for South Australia, typically receiving between 600mm and 900mm annually, which supports vigorous native vegetation growth. The soils in these catchment areas are generally podzolic, consisting of loams over clay subsoils, and are often acidic. While the immediate project sites are managed for water catchment protection, the broader surrounding region is heavily utilized for grazing, viticulture, and horticulture.

A notable aspect of this project is its administrative history. It was originally registered by Australian Integrated Carbon Financial Services (Ai Carbon) but was transferred to the South Australian Water Corporation (SA Water) in April 2018. This transfer aligns with SA Water's strategic initiative to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 ("Zero Cost Energy Future"). By taking direct ownership of the project, SA Water utilizes the plantings not only for carbon offsets but also to improve water quality by reducing soil erosion and agricultural runoff into the reservoirs.