Soil Carbon Project Metcalfe NL

Soil Carbon Project Metcalfe NL is a soil carbon sequestration project located near the rural locality of Metcalfe in Central Victoria. The project area covers approximately 385 hectares and is situated roughly 15 kilometres east of Castlemaine and 35 kilometres south of Bendigo. Registered on March 7, 2024, the project operates within the Mount Alexander Shire, a region traditionally characterised by grazing (sheep and cattle) and mixed farming operations.

The project utilises the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology (2021). This method requires the proponent to establish a baseline of soil carbon stocks through physical sampling and then implement new management activities to increase those stocks over time. The project has nominated a 25-year permanence period, during which the stored carbon must be maintained.

A key feature of this project is its focus on soil remediation. The site likely contains sodic or magnesic soils (Sodosols), which are common in Victoria and characterized by instability and poor water infiltration. The project activities involve applying gypsum to these soils to address chemical deficiencies and improve structure, alongside the implementation of new irrigation systems. By remediating the soil chemistry, the project aims to enhance vegetation growth and soil microbial activity, thereby driving the sequestration of organic carbon. The local environment typically experiences a temperate climate with moderate rainfall (approximately 600-700mm annually), supporting the pasture-based agricultural systems targeted by these interventions.