Theodore Carbon Project

The Theodore Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, specifically within the Dungog Shire. Situated approximately 25 kilometers southwest of the township of Dungog, near the locality of Allynbrook, the project covers 171.24 hectares. It was registered on January 19, 2021, and operates on land primarily used for grazing, which is the dominant agricultural activity in this fertile river valley region.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems) Methodology Determination 2018. This methodology allows landholders to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by implementing new management activities that increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. For this specific project, the activities involve re-establishing or rejuvenating pastures through seeding and altering grazing practices, such as changing stocking rates, duration, or intensity, to improve soil health and carbon retention.

Environmentally, the Dungog Shire is characterized by a warm temperate climate with significant rainfall, averaging between 900mm and 1000mm annually, which supports lush pasture growth. The soils in the Allyn River valley area are typically fertile alluvial loams and clays, providing an ideal baseline for soil carbon accumulation. The combination of reliable rainfall and fertile soil types makes this region particularly well-suited for high-impact soil carbon projects compared to more arid regions of Australia.

An interesting facet of this project is its likely connection to broader industry trials. The project proponent, AgriProve, has partnered with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to establish demonstration sites in Dungog as part of the "Soil Carbon to Reach Carbon Neutral" program. These sites are designed to test multi-species pastures and holistic grazing management to demonstrate how red meat enterprises can transition to net-zero emissions. Given the location and proponent, the Theodore Carbon Project is likely one of these key demonstration sites contributing to industry-wide research.