Hillview Park Soil Carbon Project

Hillview Park Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 25 kilometers north of the major regional centre of Goulburn. Registered in August 2024, the project covers a 716-hectare area near the locality of Taralga. The region is a well-established pastoral district known for high-quality grazing land, supporting the proponent's integrated beef and livestock operations.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This framework allows landholders to earn carbon credits by measuring increases in soil organic carbon compared to a baseline. It employs a hybrid approach that combines physical soil sampling with computer modelling to estimate carbon storage over time. To achieve this, the project activities include applying lime to remediate soil acidity, using synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers to address nutrient deficiencies, introducing legumes into pasture systems, and altering grazing intensity to improve vegetation cover.

The environmental context of the Hillview Park property is characterised by the cool temperate climate of the Southern Tablelands, which typically classifies as a high-rainfall zone (averaging around 700-800mm annually). The soils in this area are generally productive, consisting of basalt-derived Dermosols (often called "chocolate soils") and sedimentary loams (Chromosols). However, these soils can be naturally acidic, necessitating the lime application mentioned in the project activities to unlock their full productive and carbon-sequestering potential.

The proponent, Argyle Foods Pastoral Pty Ltd, is a vertically integrated meat and livestock business led by CEOs Lachlan Graham and Bryce Graham. The company is noted for its "paddock-to-plate" approach, utilising blockchain technology to ensure supply chain transparency. This project is part of their broader strategy to produce carbon-neutral beef and supply sustainable products to domestic and international markets, including a specific grass-fed brand for major retailers.