Cuyuac Carbon Project

The Cuyuac Carbon Project is a plantation forestry project located on the "Cuyuac" property near the hamlet of Nareen, approximately 35 kilometers north of Casterton in Victoria’s Western District. Registered in March 2024, the project covers 157 hectares of a larger agricultural aggregation. The region is renowned for its fertile basalt plains and high rainfall, primarily supporting prime grazing land for wool and beef production, alongside scattered forestry operations.

The project operates under the 2022 Plantation Forestry methodology, specifically utilizing the "avoided conversion" activity (Schedule 3). This classification indicates that the existing plantation forest was at a documented risk of being cleared and converted into non-forested land, likely for pasture to support the property's livestock operations. By registering as a carbon project, the proponent commits to maintaining the trees for a commercial harvest rotation instead of clearing them, thereby sequestering carbon in the timber and biomass.

Environmentally, the site benefits from the Western District's robust climate, receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately 750mm. The soils in this specific locality are described as productive sandy loams and deep red soils, which are typical of the area's volcanic history. The proponent, Andrew Edgar, has previously been recognized in agricultural case studies for innovative water and feed management strategies on the Cuyuac property, running a composite ewe flock and Angus cattle herd.