Freeth Carbon Project

The Freeth Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the rural locality of Gherang, Victoria, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the major regional city of Geelong. Registered in September 2022, the project covers a relatively small area of 62.65 hectares. The surrounding region of the Surf Coast Shire, specifically the hinterland near Moriac and Modewarre, is traditionally utilized for mixed farming, grazing (beef and sheep), and increasingly for rural-residential lifestyle properties and agroforestry.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method credits landholders for increases in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks resulting from changes in land management. Unlike tree planting, this method focuses on the soil itself, requiring rigorous baseline sampling and subsequent measurement rounds to quantify carbon gains. The specific activities for this project include applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, rejuvenating pastures through seeding, and altering grazing intensity or duration to promote vegetation cover.

Environmentally, the Gherang area sits on the northern fringe of the Otway Ranges, characterized by a temperate climate with reliable, moderate rainfall (typically 600mm to 750mm annually). The local soil profile is distinct from the heavy volcanic clays found on the plains further north; Gherang is known for tertiary sediments producing "duplex" soils, often sandy or gravelly loams overlying clay subsoils. These soils can be highly responsive to nutrient management and pasture improvement, making them suitable candidates for carbon sequestration efforts if organic matter can be successfully stabilized.

The project proponent, AgriProve Solutions, is Australia's largest developer of soil carbon projects, known for a partnership model that manages the complex administrative and measurement requirements for farmers. The small size of the Freeth project suggests it may be a pilot paddock or a targeted improvement zone within a larger property, utilizing high-density grazing or pasture cropping to drive soil health outcomes.