'Cooreel Soil Carbon Project

Cooreel Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at Wards River, approximately 35km south of Gloucester and 40km north of Dungog in the Hunter Region of NSW. It was registered in March 2024 and covers 172.99ha.

Soil carbon projects operating under the 2021 Measurement and Models methodology aim to increase soil organic carbon levels through improved land management. Standard requirements for this project involve altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing, often using rotational or time-controlled techniques, to maintain better ground cover, reduce soil compaction, and stimulate root growth.

The Dungog Shire area is known for its strong agricultural history, particularly in beef cattle grazing and dairy farming. The region is characterised by a warm temperate climate and is considered a high-rainfall zone. Local soils are variable but generally consist of clay loams and alluvial soils in the valleys, grading into shallow dermosols on the ridges.

The project proponent, Carbon Fix Pty Limited, maintains a local presence with offices in the Hunter Valley. They specifically target these high-rainfall zones, noting that adequate moisture is a critical factor for successful soil carbon sequestration and for driving carbon storage deep into the soil profile.