Peninsula Downs Animal Effluent Management Project

The Peninsula Downs Animal Effluent Management Project is a waste methane abatement project located in the Scott River region, approximately 16km inland from Karridale in the South West of Western Australia. Registered in September 2025, the project operates on the Peninsula Downs dairy farming aggregation, which is recognized as Western Australia's largest dairy operation. While the exact project area size is not specified in the registry, the broader farming operation runs a herd of over 3,000 milking cows, providing the substantial volume of organic waste required for a viable large-scale biogas facility.

The project operates under the Animal Effluent Management methodology, which generates carbon credits by capturing and destroying methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere from manure decomposition. In standard dairy operations, effluent is often stored in open anaerobic lagoons where it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This project utilizes a covered treatment facility, developed in partnership with technology provider Gaia EnviroTech, to capture this biogas. The gas is then combusted, converting the methane into less harmful carbon dioxide, and potentially generating renewable energy to power on-site operations such as the dairy's milking sheds.

The region surrounding Karridale and Warner Glen is characterized by a high-rainfall Mediterranean climate, ideal for intensive grazing and dairy farming. The landscape features a mix of sandy loams and ironstone gravels typical of the Scott River Plain. The area is a significant agricultural hub, supporting both the dairy industry and nearby viticulture.

An interesting aspect of this project is its integration into a highly modernized farming system. The proponent, associated with prominent dairy farmer Ross Woodhouse, has publicly discussed plans to establish Western Australia's first autonomous dairy and utilize waste-to-energy technology to power the facility. This aligns with the project's activities of monetizing waste products and reducing the carbon intensity of large-scale milk production.