Undanooka soil carbon project (Revoked)

The Undanooka Soil Carbon Project (Revoked) was a soil carbon sequestration project located at Undanooka Farms, near the historic monastic town of New Norcia, approximately 130km north-east of Perth and 30km south-east of Moora in Western Australia. Registered in June 2022, the project covered a 190.66-hectare area within the Shire of Victoria Plains. The region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 460mm, supporting broadacre mixed farming operations typical of the Western Australian Wheatbelt.

The project operated under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits increases in soil organic carbon (SOC) achieved through new land management activities. Specifically, this project aimed to boost soil carbon by applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies and utilizing mechanical means to redistribute soil through the profile, practices often associated with ameliorating the sandy duplex soils common to the region. The proponents, D and M Mackie Pty Ltd, also received state funding to trial the sowing of serradella legumes and deep-rooting crops like canola and lupins to improve soil biomass.

The project was voluntarily revoked on July 1, 2024, under Section 30 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015. Section 30 revocations are initiated by the project proponent, often indicating a strategic decision to withdraw the project, potentially to restructure or because the specific pilot activities were completed or reassessed. Prior to revocation, the project was part of a broader push in the region to integrate carbon farming with high-production agricultural systems, such as the Mackie family's established hay and grain operations.