Oakley Fysh Carbon Project

Oakley Fysh Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located near Booral, approximately 50km north of Newcastle in the Mid-Coast Council region of New South Wales. Registered in March 2020, the project covers roughly 45 hectares of agricultural land. The surrounding Stroud and Booral area is a well-established grazing and forestry region, historically known for cattle and poultry farming, characterized by rolling hills and river valleys.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems) Methodology Determination 2018. This methodology credits increases in soil organic carbon stocks resulting from changes in land management. Specifically, the Oakley Fysh project focuses on re-establishing or rejuvenating pasture by seeding. By introducing new pasture species, typically deep-rooted perennials or legumes, the project aims to enhance photosynthetic activity and root biomass, thereby drawing more carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil.

Environmentally, the Mid-Coast region falls into a high rainfall zone, with Booral averaging approximately 1,100mm to 1,200mm of rainfall annually. This abundance of moisture is favorable for soil carbon projects, as it supports vigorous pasture growth essential for sequestration. The local soils are generally varied, often consisting of dermosols and chromosols (texture-contrast soils) which are common in the NSW coastal hinterland and suitable for grazing when managed effectively.

This project is facilitated by Agriprove Solutions, a prominent soil carbon project developer in Australia. It appears to be distinct from the proponent's larger "Fysh Carbon Project" located in Queensland, despite the similar naming convention. The "Oakley Fysh" project likely represents a smaller, targeted implementation of regenerative pasture management within the proponent's extensive portfolio.