Killen Carbon Project

Killen Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the locality of Manton, approximately 15km southeast of Yass in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Registered in April 2022, the project covers a total area of approximately 142 hectares. The broader Yass Valley region is a well-established agricultural zone known primarily for fine wool growing, cattle grazing, and cool-climate viticulture.

The project operates under the "Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models" (2021) methodology. This framework allows landholders to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by implementing new management activities that increase soil carbon levels, such as applying nutrients to address deficiencies or rejuvenating pastures with multispecies seeding. The 2021 method differs from earlier iterations by allowing the use of models alongside physical soil sampling to estimate carbon changes, potentially reducing the costs associated with monitoring.

Environmentally, the Yass Valley experiences a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 650mm. The landscape is characterized by undulating terrain with soils that are typically texture-contrast varieties, such as Red and Yellow Chromosols (podzolic soils), often derived from sedimentary or granitic origins. These soils can be naturally low in nutrients, making them responsive to the regenerative amendments proposed by the project.

A notable feature of the Killen Carbon Project is its rapid success; it was one of the first soil carbon projects to receive ACCU issuance within just two years of operation. The project proponents, John Lawson and Philippa Yelland, have utilized industrial byproducts like drinking water lime residuals and crusher dust to improve soil health. Public reports indicate these activities have not only generated carbon credits but also significantly boosted the farm's productivity, allowing for a reported quadrupling of livestock carrying capacity.