Kirby Flat Farm (Revoked)

Kirby Flat Farm (Revoked) was a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 4 kilometers southwest of the historic town of Yackandandah in Northeast Victoria. Registered in August 2020, the project operated on a small scale, covering just 64 hectares of agricultural land. The region is renowned for its scenic grazing landscapes, primarily supporting beef cattle and dairy operations, alongside hobby farms and local artisan businesses.

The project utilized the 2018 Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration methodology. This method requires landholders to implement new management activities, such as re-establishing pasture or altering grazing intensity, to increase soil organic carbon levels. To generate credits, the proponent must conduct baseline soil sampling and subsequent rounds of drilling to scientifically prove that carbon stocks have increased over time.

Environmentally, the Yackandandah region is well-suited to carbon farming due to its reliable climate. The area is classified as high rainfall, averaging approximately 800mm to 1000mm annually, which supports vigorous pasture growth essential for building soil carbon. The local soil profiles typically consist of friable clay loams and granitic sandy loams, which are generally responsive to regenerative agricultural practices.

Despite these favorable conditions, the project was voluntarily revoked in March 2022 under Section 30 of the CFI Rule, and its government abatement contract (CAC359972) was terminated. The revocation occurring less than two years after registration suggests the project may have been deemed financially unviable, a common challenge for projects under 100 hectares where the high fixed costs of soil drilling and auditing can outweigh the value of the carbon credits generated. The proponent, S&L McIntosh Pty Ltd, is associated with the well-known local McIntosh family, who have operated in the district for generations.