Meander Lakes Soil Carbon Project

Meander Lakes Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located on the "Meander Lakes" property (formerly known as Meander Rise) in Westwood, Tasmania, approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Launceston. Registered on February 20, 2025, the project covers a considerable area of 1,212 hectares within the Meander Valley region. The property is currently managed as a mixed livestock operation, running composite ewes and beef cattle, and includes significant areas of bushland, grazing country, and irrigated pasture.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through changes in land management. Specific activities at Meander Lakes include altering stocking rates and establishing new pastures on land that was previously limited or fallow. The area typically experiences a cool-temperate climate with moderate annual rainfall (around 700–800mm), often supplemented by irrigation in this agricultural district. The local soils are generally diverse, ranging from texture-contrast clay soils to fertile alluvial types closer to river systems, which are well-suited to the planned pasture improvements.

The proponent, Whitechapel Holdings Pty Ltd (trustee for the Whitechapel Trust), has undertaken extensive infrastructure redevelopment on the property, including upgrades to fencing, irrigation, and livestock handling facilities to support increased production. This operational overhaul aligns with the carbon project's goal to improve soil health and vegetation cover while intensifying the stocking rate. The project is supported by Elders Rural Services Australia, leveraging their agronomy and carbon farming advisory services to manage compliance and reporting.