Rosevale Ridge Carbon Project

Rosevale Ridge Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 20km south of Ararat in Western Victoria, near the locality of Maroona. Registered in August 2022, the project covers 1,016 hectares of agricultural land known for its production of fine Merino wool. The proponent, Rosevale Ridge Pty Ltd (trustee for the RA & EM McDougall Family Trust), manages the property as a mixed farming enterprise combining sheep, cattle, and broad-acre cropping.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology. This method allows land managers to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by sequestering carbon in agricultural soils. To achieve this, the project has implemented specific land management activities designed to increase soil carbon stocks; specifically, the project has registered the activity of applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address material soil deficiencies. Credits are calculated using a hybrid approach that combines physical soil core sampling with modeled estimates over a 25-year crediting period.

The region lies within the Victorian Volcanic Plain, characterized by a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 500mm to 600mm. The landscape is typically flat to gently undulating, featuring texture-contrast soils such as Sodosols and Chromosols, which often consist of loam topsoils overlying heavy clay subsoils. These soils are naturally productive but can be susceptible to acidification or nutrient depletion, making the project's focus on nutrient management particularly relevant for both productivity and carbon storage.

An interesting note regarding the proponents is their long-standing history in the region; the McDougall family has farmed in the Maroona-Tatyoon district since 1870. They are recognized in the industry for high-quality wool production, having previously won the Elders Southern Clip of the Year award. This carbon project likely integrates with their existing rotational grazing and cropping operations to improve soil health and resilience.