Moolan Downs Soil Carbon Project

Moolan Downs Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at the Moolan Downs aggregation in the Western Downs region of Queensland, approximately 160km south-west of Dalby and 200km south-east of Roma. It was registered in September 2022 and covers a project area of 8,856.55 ha within the broader 10,029 ha aggregation.

Soil carbon projects under the Measurement and Models methodology involve establishing baseline soil carbon levels and introducing new, eligible agricultural management practices. Any subsequent increase in soil organic carbon is then physically measured and modelled over time to generate carbon credits. To achieve this, the project focuses on altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing to promote vegetative cover and improve overall soil health.

The Western Downs area is a premium agricultural region known for extensive cattle grazing, backgrounding operations, and mixed cropping. The region generally experiences a semi-arid to subtropical climate with reliable summer-dominant rainfall, and the landscape is characterised by highly productive, clay-based soils ideal for rotational grazing and carbon sequestration.

Interestingly, this property was initially acquired in 2022 by Packhorse Pastoral Company to implement a regenerative "Grass Motel" cattle model, hosting third-party cattle to naturally fertilise and re-seed the land. Following the tragic death of Packhorse's founder in a plane crash, the property was sold in mid-2023. It was reportedly acquired by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting Group as part of an $80 million multi-property deal, which neatly aligns with the June 2024 proponent name variation changing from Packhorse Pastoral Land Pty Ltd to Valley River Holdings Pty Ltd.