Grovedale Soil Carbon Project

Grovedale Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at the "Grovedale" property in Trunkey Creek, approximately 55km south of Bathurst in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. It was registered in September 2024 and initially covered an area of 749.49 hectares, though a subsequent project variation in June 2025 saw some specific areas removed from the project boundary. The Trunkey Creek region is heavily agricultural, with the primary land use being sheep and beef cattle grazing.

Soil carbon projects under the 2021 Measurement and Models methodology involve implementing materially new or different agricultural management activities to increase the amount of organic carbon stored in the soil. Standard requirements include rigorous baseline soil sampling to establish initial carbon stocks, followed by ongoing physical measurements over the life of the project. To achieve sequestration, this project is altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of livestock grazing to promote greater soil vegetation cover. Additionally, the proponent is applying agricultural lime and other ameliorants to actively remediate acid soils.

The Central Tablelands environment experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons and moderate annual rainfall averaging around 650mm. The undulating terrain is characterised by native perennial pastures, such as phalaris and cocksfoot. Soils in this region are typically clay and sandy loams that are highly prone to topsoil acidity under pasture improvement, making the planned lime applications highly beneficial for local soil chemistry and pasture health.

The project is operated by fourth-generation grazier Scott Brown in partnership with corporate proponent Atlas Agri Solutions Pty Ltd (Atlas Carbon). In an effort to secure the farm's legacy for future generations, Brown has shifted his management philosophy to that of a "grass farmer," utilising data-driven digital grazing tools to maximise year-round ground cover. He has noted that the potential income from the generated Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) acts as the financial equivalent of "an extra wool clip every four years." In October 2025, Grovedale hosted an official High Impact Partnership (HIP) Soil Carbon Field Day, supported by the NSW Government, to showcase these sustainable grazing strategies to the wider agricultural community.