Chifley Carbon Project

The Chifley Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 35 kilometers north of the regional city of Bathurst, near the historic town of Sofala. Registered in April 2021, the project covers 284 hectares of agricultural land in an area traditionally dominated by grazing operations for sheep and cattle.

The project operates under the "Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems" (2018) methodology. This method rewards landholders for increasing the amount of organic carbon stored in their soil, which is measured by comparing baseline soil samples against subsequent rounds of testing. To achieve this, the project has implemented changes to land management practices, specifically altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing. These activities are designed to improve ground cover and root mass, thereby drawing more carbon from the atmosphere into the soil profile.

Environmentally, the Sofala and Bathurst region experiences a temperate climate with moderate annual rainfall, typically averaging between 600mm and 700mm. The local landscape is characterized by complex geology, often featuring granite-derived or duplex soils (such as red and yellow chromosols) which can be acidic and naturally low in fertility. The project's focus on regenerative grazing aims to overcome these constraints by building soil organic matter, which enhances water retention and nutrient cycling.

The proponent, AgriProve Solutions Pty Ltd, is a prominent developer in the Australian market, responsible for a significant majority of registered soil carbon projects. While specific site updates for Chifley are not public, AgriProve typically employs a partnership model that integrates digital soil tech and remote sensing to monitor the impact of management changes on soil health.