Pinchgut Creek Pastoral Carbon Project

The Pinchgut Creek Pastoral Carbon Project is a soil carbon agricultural project located approximately 30km west of Cootamundra in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales. Registered in September 2023, the project covers 747 hectares across properties known as "Retreat" and "Treetops." The project is operated by the Pinchgut Creek Pastoral Company, a family-owned enterprise run by the Main family, who have transitioned the land from historical industrial cropping to a regenerative grazing system.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Measurement and Models). This framework rewards landholders for measurable increases in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks. To generate credits, the proponent must establish a baseline SOC level and then implement specific management activities, in this case, altering stocking rates to promote vegetation cover, applying fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, and establishing permanent pasture on previously cropped land. The carbon sequestered is verified through physical soil sampling and modelling over time.

The Cootamundra region is a prime mixed-farming zone, historically utilized for winter cereals, canola, and livestock. The environment is classified as temperate sub-humid with an average annual rainfall of approximately 600mm to 650mm. The soils in the project area are primarily Red Chromosols (texture-contrast soils) and Red Kandosols, which are typical of the Riverina slopes and highly responsive to improved organic matter management.

The project is notable for its specific focus on "holistic grazing" principles, inspired by regenerative agricultural educators. This involves high-intensity, short-duration grazing with long recovery periods for pastures, aiming to improve water retention and biodiversity without the use of synthetic chemical inputs common in the surrounding district.