Collett Carbon Project

The Collett Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Murraylands region of South Australia, approximately 15km north of the major regional center of Murray Bridge. Registered in August 2021, the project covers a project area of 107.62 hectares within the Rural City of Murray Bridge local government area. The surrounding landscape is heavily utilized for dryland agriculture, specifically mixed cropping and livestock grazing, which are the primary economic drivers for the region.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems) Methodology Determination 2018. This high-integrity methodology requires the proponent to demonstrate an increase in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels over time compared to a measured baseline. Unlike model-based methods, this approach relies on physical soil sampling and laboratory analysis to verify carbon abatement. To achieve these gains, the project has implemented specific land management changes, including the application of synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, the retention of crop stubble to protect soil structure, and a transition from intensive tillage to reduced or no-tillage practices.

Environmental conditions in the Murraylands are typically semi-arid to Mediterranean, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters with an average annual rainfall of approximately 300mm to 400mm. The soils in this district often consist of sandy loams, calcareous loams, or soils overlying clay, which can be susceptible to wind erosion when vegetation cover is low. By retaining stubble and reducing tillage, the project not only aims to sequester carbon but also likely seeks to improve soil moisture retention and reduce erosion risk in this dry farming environment. The project is managed by Agriprove Solutions Pty Ltd, a leading developer in the Australian soil carbon market known for managing a large portfolio of similar agricultural projects.