Gear Carbon Project 1

Gear Carbon Project 1 is a soil organic carbon sequestration project located near Trawalla in the Pyrenees Shire of Victoria, approximately 40 kilometers west of Ballarat. Registered on March 28, 2024, the project encompasses an area of roughly 220 hectares. The region is situated on the Victorian Volcanic Plain, a significant agricultural zone primarily utilized for broadacre cropping and livestock grazing, including sheep for wool and meat production.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology (2021). This framework enables landholders to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by implementing new management activities that increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. To generate credits, the project must demonstrate a measured increase in soil carbon stocks over time compared to a baseline, requiring a long-term maintenance obligation, typically 25 years.

Environmentally, the site is characterized by the fertile, basalt-derived clay soils typical of the Western District's volcanic plains. These heavy grey or black clays are highly productive but can be prone to cracking in dry conditions and waterlogging in wet winters. The local climate is temperate, generally receiving moderate rainfall between 600mm and 700mm annually, with a distinct wet season in winter and spring.

To drive soil carbon increases, the project proponents, Agriprove Solutions Co No.2 Pty Ltd, are implementing specific land management changes. As noted in the project registration, these activities include altering stocking rates to improve ground cover, rejuvenating pastures through seeding, and applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address material nutrient deficiencies. Agriprove is a major developer in the sector, managing a significant portion of Australia's registered soil carbon projects.