Thyra Piggery Project

The Thyra Piggery Project is an animal effluent management project located in the rural locality of Thyra, approximately 30km north of Moama and 45km southwest of Deniliquin in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Registered in April 2016, the project is operated by Sunpork Consolidated Pty Ltd, the largest Australian-owned pork producer.

The project operates under the Animal Effluent Management methodology. This involves capturing methane gas generated by the anaerobic decomposition of pig manure in effluent ponds. In standard piggeries, this methane would release into the atmosphere; however, this project utilizes covered lagoons to trap the gas. The captured methane is then combusted, turning it into carbon dioxide (a less potent greenhouse gas) and often generating renewable electricity or heat for on-site operations. This facility transitioned to the 2019 methodology variation in 2020, having originally operated under the 2013 determination for destruction of methane using engineered biodigesters.

The surrounding Riverina region is a major agricultural hub characterized by flat plains and a semi-arid climate, typically receiving around 400mm to 450mm of rainfall annually. The landscape supports extensive mixed cropping (wheat, canola, barley) and grazing. Soils in the area are predominantly red-brown earths (Chromosols) and heavy clays, which are fertile but rely on irrigation or careful moisture management for intensive production.