Grovedale Soil Carbon Project

Grovedale Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located at Grovedale, a property near the rural village of Trunkey Creek, approximately 55 kilometres south of Bathurst in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Registered on September 6, 2024, the project operates on a land area of approximately 749 hectares. The region is historically significant for fine wool production and gold mining, with the property itself being run by fourth-generation producer Scott Brown, who manages a mixed enterprise of Merino sheep and Angus cattle.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon (Measurement and Models) methodology, which credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through improved management practices. This specific project involves altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing to improve soil health and vegetation cover, alongside the application of lime to remediate soil acidity. This aligns with the environmental characteristics of the Central Tablelands, which typically features high annual rainfall (averaging approximately 900mm) and texture-contrast soils such as Chromosols and Kurosols. These soil types often feature acidic subsoils, making the application of ameliorants a critical component of the carbon farming strategy.

Interesting features of the project include the proponent's use of data-driven decision-making; Scott Brown utilizes MaiaGrazing software to optimize pasture utilization and has adopted the motto "more testing, less guessing." He has publicly described the potential income from Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) as comparable to "an extra wool clip every four years," highlighting the project's role in diversifying on-farm income. A variation to the project area was noted in June 2025, where specific areas were removed from the project boundary.