Killen Carbon Project

Killen Carbon Project is a soil carbon project located at Blakney Creek, approximately 25km north-east of Yass on the NSW Southern Tablelands. It was registered in April 2022 and covers a project area of 142.16ha.

Soil carbon projects under the 2021 Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology involve increasing soil organic carbon by changing agricultural practices. Participants must establish baseline carbon levels through rigorous soil sampling, implement new eligible management activities, such as applying non-synthetic fertilisers or rejuvenating pastures, and then conduct subsequent sampling and modelling to verify the carbon sequestration over a strict permanence period.

The Blakney Creek and Southern Tablelands area is well known for sheep and cattle grazing operations. The region experiences a cool temperate climate with moderate average annual rainfall, though it can suffer from dry stretches. The soils in this location primarily consist of the Blakney Creek soil landscape, featuring acid to neutral yellow duplex soils, yellow earths, and red podzolic soils.

This project was established by local landholders John Lawson and Philippa Yelland alongside their cattle grazing operation. To address nutrient deficiencies, they creatively used industrial by-products such as drinking water lime residuals, crusher dust, and AgriAsh as soil amendments, successfully repurposing waste that would otherwise go to landfill. These activities have reportedly doubled both pasture productivity and the property's livestock carrying capacity. Run in partnership with AgriProve, the project is one of the few nationally to reach a second round of crediting (T2), demonstrating that the soil carbon built in the initial phases continued to grow even through drier periods.