Winchester Carbon Soil Project

The Winchester Carbon Soil Project is a soil carbon project located in the Cabonne Shire region of New South Wales, approximately 20km north-east of the town of Molong and 40km north-west of Orange. Registered on May 15, 2023, the project covers an area of 1,729 hectares. The region is characterized by mixed farming land use, including grazing and cropping, which supports the local agricultural economy.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology (2021). This method allows landholders to earn carbon credits by changing land management practices to store more carbon in the soil. To generate credits, the project must demonstrate an increase in soil organic carbon stocks over time compared to a baseline, measured through soil sampling or hybrid modelling approaches.

Environmental conditions in the Molong district typically include a temperate climate with moderate rainfall, averaging between 600mm and 700mm annually. The soils in this area often consist of red earths and loams which can be prone to acidity; this is consistent with the project's specific listed activities, which include applying lime or other ameliorants to remediate acid soils. Additionally, the proponent, Kirby Carbon Co Pty Ltd, working with Climate Friendly Pty Ltd, intends to apply synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address material nutrient deficiencies, further promoting plant growth and soil carbon sequestration.