Kilter Rural Lower Goulburn Revegetation Project (Revoked)

The Kilter Rural Lower Goulburn Revegetation Project (Revoked) was an environmental planting initiative located in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria. The project area, covering approximately 365 hectares, is situated roughly 10 kilometers south of Tongala and 25 kilometers southeast of the major regional hub of Echuca. This location places it firmly within the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District, a region historically dominated by intensive irrigated agriculture, including dairy farming, horticulture, and cropping.

Registered in April 2021, the project operated under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings, FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014. This methodology involves establishing permanent plantings of native tree species, either from seeds or tube stock, on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. The "FullCAM" aspect refers to the use of the Full Carbon Accounting Model to estimate carbon sequestration, rather than relying solely on direct field measurements. Standard requirements for such projects typically mandate a stocking density sufficient to achieve forest cover (often 200+ stems per hectare) and a prohibition on harvesting the timber, ensuring the carbon remains stored in the landscape.

The environmental conditions in the Lower Goulburn Valley are characterized by a semi-arid to temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 450mm to 500mm. The soils in this specific vicinity are generally part of the Shepparton Formation, consisting of red-brown earths (Chromosols) and clay loams. These soils are highly productive when irrigated but can be susceptible to salinity and sodicity issues, which revegetation projects often aim to mitigate by lowering water tables and improving soil structure.

Kilter Rural, the proponent, is a well-known asset manager specializing in regenerating farmland and water assets. They often employ a strategy of combining high-value irrigated cropping with biodiversity plantings. Notably, this specific project has been listed as revoked under section 30 of the CFI Rule as of July 28, 2025. Section 30 revocations are typically voluntary and requested by the proponent. This action aligns with reports of Kilter Rural divesting portions of its Goulburn Valley portfolio around the same period, suggesting the revocation may have been a necessary step to facilitate the sale of the land unencumbered or to restructure the natural capital assets.