Messner Carbon Project 19

Messner Carbon Project 19 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Shire of Westonia in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The project area is situated approximately 40km northwest of the township of Westonia and roughly 35km east of Mukinbudin. Registered in August 2024, the project covers a land area of 343.56 hectares.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method requires the proponent to baseline soil carbon levels through physical core sampling and then implement new management activities to increase carbon stocks. For this specific project, the registered activity involves applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers to address material soil deficiencies, a practice designed to boost plant growth and root biomass, thereby increasing soil organic carbon. As an Agriprove-managed project, it utilizes a hybrid approach of measurement and modelling to quantify abatement over a 25-year crediting period.

The Westonia district is a semi-arid agricultural region characterized by broadacre cropping (wheat, barley, canola) and sheep grazing. The area typically receives low annual rainfall, often around 300-350mm, making moisture retention a key challenge. Soils in this part of the Wheatbelt are variable, ranging from sandy loams and sandplains to heavier duplex soils and clays, which can be prone to acidity or salinity. The "Messner" naming convention (appearing on other projects like Messner Carbon Project 1 and Messner Carbon Project 21) suggests this project is part of a larger aggregation of carbon estimation areas across a substantial landholding or family property in the district.