Springfield Soil Carbon Project

The Springfield Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located near the town of Stockinbingal, approximately 20km northwest of Cootamundra in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales. Registered in September 2022, the project covers a land area of roughly 950 hectares. The project operates within the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council area, a region renowned for its rich agricultural heritage, specifically mixed farming operations that combine cereal cropping (wheat, canola) with sheep and cattle grazing.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method allows proponents to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by sequestering carbon in agricultural soils. Unlike earlier methods that relied solely on physical sampling, the 2021 determination introduces a hybrid approach, permitting the use of models (such as DayCent) alongside physical measurement to estimate carbon stocks, potentially reducing the cost of long-term monitoring. The project activities focus on altering grazing strategies, such as changing stocking rates, intensity, or duration, to improve ground cover and soil health, thereby increasing soil organic carbon levels.

The local environment is typical of the NSW South West Slopes, characterized by a temperate climate with hot summers and cool winters. The area receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 600mm, with precipitation spread relatively evenly throughout the year but often peaking in winter and spring. The soils in this vicinity are predominantly Red Chromosols and Dermosols (often referred to as red-brown earths), which are well-regarded for their fertility but can be susceptible to structure decline if over-cultivated or over-grazed.

The project proponent is New Kayarem Pty Limited, a corporate entity widely associated with the Murdoch family's pastoral interests, including the historic "Cavan Station" aggregation near Yass. While Cavan Station is located to the east, the Springfield project appears to be a distinct holding or block within their broader portfolio in the Cootamundra district. The project is managed in partnership with Carbon Link, a leading aggregator that utilizes advanced soil sensing technology to baseline and monitor soil carbon levels.