Hidden Valley SOC project

Hidden Valley SOC project is a soil organic carbon project located in the Fraser Coast region of Queensland, approximately 30km west of Maryborough. It was registered in November 2022 and covers 106.25 hectares.

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) projects using measurement and models involve changing agricultural management practices to increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. Under this standard methodology, proponents must establish a baseline through rigorous soil sampling, implement new eligible management activities, and periodically measure or model the soil to demonstrate a measurable increase in carbon sequestration.

The Fraser Coast area is generally known for cattle grazing, sugarcane farming, and timber forestry operations. The region experiences a subtropical climate and is classified as having moderate to high rainfall. The soils in the wider area often feature alluvial deposits and podosols, and are distinctly noted to be acidic on this property. To combat this and build soil carbon, the project activities include applying lime or other ameliorants to remediate the acidic soils, rejuvenating pastures through seeding and pasture cropping, planting legume species, and altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing to improve overall soil health and vegetation cover.

Interestingly, this property also hosts a complementary Avoided Clearing carbon project (Hidden Valley AC Project, ERF173658). Both projects were originally set up by FJD Family Pty Ltd as the Trustee for the FJD Family Trust, but the SOC project was officially transferred to major agricultural carbon developer AGRIPROVE SOLUTIONS CO NO.2 PTY LTD in April 2024.