Paltridge Carbon Project 5

Paltridge Carbon Project 5 is a soil carbon sequestration project located near Frances, approximately 35km north of Naracoorte in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia. Registered on September 6, 2023, the project covers a 528-hectare area within the Tatiara District Council.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Measurement and Models), which incentivizes farmers to adopt new land management strategies that store carbon in the soil. Specific activities for this project include the application of synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, the retention of crop stubble, and a conversion from intensive tillage to reduced or no-tillage practices. These changes are designed to improve soil structure and organic matter levels, generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) based on measured increases in soil carbon stocks over time.

The surrounding region is a well-established mixed farming zone, supporting both cropping and livestock grazing. The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 450-550mm. The local soil profile typically features sandy loams or "duplex" soils (sand over clay), which can be susceptible to water repellence and wind erosion but respond well to improved organic matter management.

An interesting note is the prominence of the Paltridge family in the Upper South East of South Australia. The family has a long history of pastoralism in the Naracoorte and Avenue Range districts, often associated with historic properties such as "Minniecrow." The numbering of this project ("Project 5") suggests it is part of a larger aggregation of soil carbon initiatives across the family's landholdings, facilitated by the proponent Agriprove Solutions.