Woodside Farm Soil Carbon Project

Woodside Farm Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located near The Rock, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Registered in March 2025, the project covers a substantial area of 744 hectares. The property sits within a renowned mixed farming belt, where land use typically combines cereal cropping (such as wheat and canola) with sheep and cattle grazing.

The project operates under the "Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models 2021" methodology. This framework allows landholders to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by adopting new management activities that store carbon in the soil. Unlike earlier methods that relied solely on measurement or modelling, the 2021 method offers a hybrid approach to reduce sampling costs while maintaining integrity. For Woodside Farm, the specific eligible management activities include establishing permanent pasture on land previously used for cropping or fallow, alongside the strategic application of synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies. These actions are designed to boost biomass production, thereby increasing the input of organic matter into the soil profile.

Environmentally, the Riverina region is characterized by a semi-arid to temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 475mm to 550mm. The local soil landscape is dominated by Red Chromosols, often referred to as Red Brown Earths. These soils are agriculturally productive but can be susceptible to structure decline; however, the project’s focus on permanent pasture maintenance is likely to improve soil structure and water infiltration over time. The project is managed by proponent Sarah Jane Vaux with the assistance of service provider Climate Friendly Pty Ltd.