Wentworth Carbon Project

The Wentworth Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 5 kilometers northeast of the regional center of Wonthaggi in Victoria's Bass Coast region. Registered in March 2022, the project covers nearly 196 hectares of agricultural land in an area traditionally known for robust dairy and beef grazing operations. The project is situated within the Bass Coast Shire, a region characterized by its rolling green hills and proximity to the coast near Inverloch.

Operated by Agriprove Solutions, this project utilizes the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology. This high-integrity method requires the proponent to physically measure the baseline carbon levels in the soil using core samples. To generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), the project actively manages the land to increase soil carbon stocks over time. Specific activities for the Wentworth project include applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, rejuvenating pastures through seeding, and altering grazing intensity to promote permanent vegetation cover.

The Bass Coast region environment is ideal for soil carbon projects due to its reliable, high rainfall and cool temperate climate. The soils in this specific locality, often derived from Cretaceous sediments or Tertiary basalts, are typically dark grey clay loams or sandy clay loams. These soils are naturally productive but can be acidic; however, they respond well to the nutrient management and rotational grazing practices employed by the project. The area is historically significant for agriculture, although it currently faces increasing pressure from residential expansion in the nearby Wonthaggi growth corridor.

Agriprove, the project proponent, is Australia's largest developer of soil carbon projects and focuses on "farmer-led" solutions. This project aligns with their broader portfolio in Gippsland, a region that hosted the first-ever soil carbon project to be issued credits in Australia (the Nils Olsen project). The Wentworth Carbon Project aims to demonstrate how commercial farming can coexist with climate change mitigation by turning atmospheric carbon into a stored soil asset.