Ellinbank Dairy Farm Animal Effluent Project

The Ellinbank Dairy Farm Animal Effluent Project is a waste management and emissions reduction initiative located in the agricultural locality of Ellinbank, approximately 12 kilometers south of Warragul in Victoria. The project was registered in December 2022 and is situated within the Baw Baw Shire, a region heavily dedicated to intensive dairy farming. The project area is centered on coordinates that place it in the heart of West Gippsland's rolling green pastures, neighboring the well-known Ellinbank SmartFarm research facility.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Animal Effluent Management) Methodology Determination 2019. This methodology incentivizes the treatment of livestock manure to reduce methane emissions. Standard practice in the dairy industry often involves storing effluent in open anaerobic ponds, which release significant amounts of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. This project involves the installation of a new treatment facility, likely a covered anaerobic digester or covered pond, that captures this biogas. The captured methane is then destroyed through combustion, such as flaring or electricity generation, converting it into less harmful carbon dioxide.

Environmentally, the Ellinbank region is characterized by high reliable rainfall, averaging over 1,000mm annually, which supports year-round pasture growth without heavy reliance on irrigation. The soils in this specific area are predominantly Red Ferrosols (formerly known as krasnozems). These deep, well-structured, red volcanic soils are highly fertile and free-draining, making them arguably the most prized dairy soils in Victoria.

An interesting aspect of this project is its location and participants. The proponent, Mario Como, appears to be a private dairy farmer operating in the immediate vicinity of the Victorian Government's "Ellinbank SmartFarm," a world-leading dairy innovation centre that is also pursuing carbon neutrality via similar biogas technology. The project lists Mark Wallace as a participant; public records identify a Mark Wallace as a Director at EnergyLink Services and an expert in carbon methodologies and biogas feasibility, suggesting the project has engaged professional technical support to manage the complex engineering required for methane capture.