Growing Carbon-Mahadys Road Pilot Diverse Carbon Forest Project

Growing Carbon-Mahadys Road Pilot Diverse Carbon Forest Project is an environmental planting project located at Upper Plenty, approximately 8km east of Wallan and 50km north of Melbourne in Victoria. Registered on February 9, 2024, the project covers 8.09 hectares in the Mitchell Shire region. This area is characterized by peri-urban rural land use, predominantly supporting grazing, hobby farming, and increasing residential development within the foothills of the Great Dividing Range.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) methodology. This method involves establishing permanent plantings of native tree species on land that was previously clear of forest cover (typically for agricultural use) for at least five years. The "environmental planting" designation generally requires stocking densities sufficient to achieve forest cover, typically exceeding 200 stems per hectare, with the aim of reaching a canopy cover of at least 20% and a height of 2 meters.

Environmentally, the Upper Plenty region experiences a cool temperate climate with moderate to high rainfall relative to the northern plains, owing to its elevation in the ranges. The local soil profile is typically comprised of sedimentary geology, often featuring clay loams or texture-contrast soils (Chromosols or Sodosols) which support dry sclerophyll forests and grassy woodlands.

A key feature of this project is its role as a "Growing Carbon" pilot initiative involving Melbourne Water Corporation. It serves as a proof-of-concept to test governance, implementation costs, and carbon accreditation processes for the water sector. The project is designed to demonstrate how small-scale biodiverse carbon plantings can be integrated into private land management while delivering co-benefits such as improved water quality and habitat restoration.