Undanooka Soil Carbon Project

Undanooka Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the regional center of Moora. Registered in May 2023, the project covers a substantial area of 1,619 hectares within the Shire of Victoria Plains and Shire of Moora. The region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers, typically receiving an annual rainfall of around 450-500mm. The local landscape is dominated by mixed farming operations, primarily broadacre cropping and sheep grazing, situated on soils that commonly feature sandy loams and duplex profiles typical of the West Midlands district.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits landholders for sequestering carbon in agricultural soils. The methodology uses a hybrid approach of physical soil sampling and modelling to calculate increases in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks over time. To achieve these gains, the proponent, D and M Mackie Pty Ltd, is implementing specific land management changes designed to boost biomass and nitrogen fixation. According to Western Australian government funding announcements, the project involves sowing serradella legume species, a mix of canola and lupins, and a clover sub-storey crop. These activities aim to enhance root biomass and improve overall soil health, turning the agricultural system into a carbon sink.

An interesting aspect of the Undanooka Soil Carbon Project is its support from the Western Australian Government's Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program. The project was a recipient of a $155,000 grant intended to facilitate the adoption of these legume-based systems. This state-level support highlights the project's dual focus on generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and demonstrating improved agricultural productivity in the Wheatbelt. The project is managed with the assistance of Carbon West Pty Ltd, a specialized carbon farming service provider in the region.