Riordan Carbon Project No1

Riordan Carbon Project No1 is a soil carbon sequestration project located near the township of Cavendish, approximately 25km north of Hamilton in the Southern Grampians region of Victoria. Registered in November 2021, the project covers an area of 157.5 hectares. The surrounding Western District is a premier agricultural zone, renowned for its "rich volcanic soils" and productive land use, which predominantly includes sheep grazing (wool and meat) and broad-acre cropping.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems) Methodology Determination 2018. This high-integrity method requires the proponent to physically measure soil carbon levels through baseline soil sampling before implementing new management activities. In this specific instance, the project activity involves applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address material soil deficiencies. By correcting these nutrient deficits, the project aims to boost plant growth and root biomass, thereby increasing the volume of organic carbon stored in the soil profile over time.

Environmentally, the Southern Grampians area is classified as a high-rainfall zone, which is generally favorable for soil carbon projects as moisture is a key driver for sequestration. The soils in this region are typically fertile volcanic basalt and clay loams, widely considered some of the most productive in Australia. The project is developed by Agriprove Solutions, a prominent soil carbon developer known for managing the first project to receive ACCUs under this specific methodology. The project name suggests a link to the Riordan Group, a significant Victorian grain and fertilizer logistics business, aligning with the project's focus on nutrient management.