Yarraville Carbon Project

The Yarraville Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located near the locality of Wirrinya, approximately 45km southwest of Forbes in the Central West region of New South Wales. Registered in May 2024, the project covers a substantial area of 2,392.5 hectares within the Forbes Shire and Weddin Shire local government areas.

This region is characterized by a mixed farming landscape, widely utilized for winter cropping (wheat, canola) and livestock grazing (sheep and cattle). The environmental conditions are typical of the South West Slopes and Riverina transition zone, featuring a semi-arid to temperate climate with a long-term average annual rainfall of approximately 500-600mm. The soils in this area are predominantly Red Chromosols (Red Brown Earths) and Dermosols, which are considered the "workhorse" soils for agriculture in NSW but can be susceptible to structural degradation if not carefully managed.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Measurement and Models), which credits landholders for measurable increases in soil organic carbon stocks over time. The specific activity listed for this project involves applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address material soil deficiencies. By correcting nutrient imbalances, the project aims to increase plant biomass production, both above and below ground, thereby sequestering more carbon into the soil profile. The proponent, Loam Carbon Pty Ltd (associated with Loam Bio), is a notable innovator in this sector, well-known for developing microbial seed inoculants (such as CarbonBuilder) designed to enhance the soil's natural ability to store stable carbon.