Weatherall Carbon Project 2

Weatherall Carbon Project 2 is a soil organic carbon sequestration project located approximately 15-20km north of Gundagai in the Riverina region of New South Wales [1]. It was registered in June 2026 and covers a project area of 439.23 hectares.

Soil carbon projects operating under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology involve estimating changes in soil carbon storage over time. Standard requirements dictate that a baseline of soil carbon must be established through direct physical sampling and laboratory analysis, followed by the implementation of new or materially different land management activities to sequester additional carbon and earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) [2].

The Cootamundra-Gundagai region is a highly modified rural area heavily utilised for primary production, predominantly sheep and cattle grazing alongside cropping operations like wheat and canola [1]. The area experiences a moderate temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 714 mm. The slopes surrounding Gundagai are typically defined by Kurosols (strongly acid duplex soils), Dermosols, and Kandosols. Subsurface soil acidity is a widespread constraint to agricultural productivity in this specific region, which directly contextualises the project's management activities.

To build soil carbon, the project is undertaking multiple new activities, including altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing to improve soil vegetation cover. Additionally, it focuses on applying nutrients to address material deficiencies, applying lime and other ameliorants to directly remediate the highly acidic local soils, and establishing and permanently maintaining pasture on areas that were previously bare fallow or cropland.

An interesting note is that the proponent, AgriProve Solutions Pty Ltd, is a prominent developer in the Australian carbon market, managing over 70% of all registered soil carbon projects in the ACCU scheme [2]. They frequently partner with academic institutions and use active landscape management to help landholders simultaneously boost agricultural productivity and carbon abatement.