McLachlan Carbon Project

The McLachlan Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at Rocking Chair Farm in the locality of Marshdale, approximately 5 kilometers southeast of Dungog in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. Registered in January 2021, the project covers a total area of 93.88 hectares. The surrounding region is characterized by high-rainfall grazing and mixed farming, traditionally supporting dairy, beef cattle, and timber industries.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology. This method requires landholders to implement new management activities, such as altering stocking rates, improving fertilizer efficiency, or rejuvenating pastures, to build soil carbon stocks. The sequestered carbon is then quantified using a combination of direct soil sampling and modelling. Specifically, the McLachlan Carbon Project has transitioned from the 2018 method to the 2021 variation and employs a strategy involving multi-species pastures and rotational grazing to boost soil health.

Environmentally, the site benefits from a high average annual rainfall of approximately 1,114mm, creating favorable conditions for rapid biomass growth and carbon sequestration. The local soil landscape typically consists of Kurosols and Dermosols (clay and loam textures), which have shown improved friability and structure since the project's inception.

Notable for its success, the McLachlan Carbon Project was the first soil carbon project in New South Wales to be issued Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), generating 2,110 credits in September 2023. Operated by landholders John Monaghan and Alan Smith in partnership with AgriProve, the farm has achieved a "beyond net-zero" carbon intensity status while managing a mixed operation of Angus cattle, Australian White sheep, and pastured eggs.