Lochiel Carbon Project 3

Lochiel Carbon Project 3 is a soil carbon project located near the small township of Lochiel, approximately 125km north of Adelaide and 45km west of the Clare Valley in South Australia. Registered on January 2, 2026, the project covers an area of 463 hectares. The surrounding Mid North region is a well-established agricultural zone, predominantly utilized for dryland cropping (cereal and legumes) and grazing operations.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method credits landholders for increasing the amount of carbon stored in their soil through improved management practices. To generate credits, the project must demonstrate a net increase in soil carbon levels over time compared to a baseline. Standard requirements involve rigorous soil sampling and the implementation of at least one eligible new management activity. For this specific project, the registered activities include applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers to address nutrient deficiencies and integrating legume species into cropping or pasture systems to fix nitrogen and build soil organic matter.

The environment in the Lochiel region is classified as semi-arid to Mediterranean, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 330mm to 350mm. The soils in this area, often described as red-brown earths or red loams over calcareous subsoils, are typically fertile but historically low in organic carbon due to intensive cultivation. These conditions make them suitable candidates for carbon sequestration, as there is often a significant "carbon gap" that can be filled through regenerative practices.

A unique local feature near the project is Lake Bumbunga, a salt lake famous for changing colour from pink to white to blue depending on the salinity and season. The lake is also home to the "Loch Eel," a whimsical sculpture made of rubber tyres that sits in the shallows, playing on the town's name. The project proponent, AgriProve Solutions Pty Ltd, is a prominent developer in the Australian market, known for managing a large portfolio of soil carbon projects using their "Soilkee" approach and digital platforms.