HILLCREST Soil Carbon Project

HILLCREST Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located at Avenue Range, situated approximately 40 kilometres west of Naracoorte and 30 kilometres inland from the coast in South Australia's Limestone Coast region. The project was registered in September 2025 and covers a project area of 711.67 hectares. The surrounding region is predominantly utilized for mixed farming, specifically livestock grazing (beef and sheep) and cropping, which aligns with the project's agricultural context.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This methodology rewards landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through changes in land management activities. Specifically, this project aims to sequester carbon by integrating legume species into cropping or pasture systems. These activities are designed to improve soil health and nitrogen fixation, which in turn facilitates the buildup of soil carbon stocks over time.

Avenue Range features a Mediterranean climate with a winter-dominant rainfall averaging approximately 600mm annually. The landscape is part of the extensive flats between the dune ranges of the South East. The soil profiles in this specific locality are typically sandy loams over clay or limestone-based soils (often associated with the Terra Rossa soils of the region), which are naturally suited to the deep-rooted pasture and legume systems proposed by the project activities.

The project proponent, W.N. & R.N. Bainger Proprietary Limited, has a long-standing connection to the land; historical records indicate the Bainger family purchased the "Hillcrest" property in 1973, previously using it for beef cattle grazing. The project also lists Chris Taarnby as a participant. Chris Taarnby is the National Carbon Farming Business Development Specialist for Elders (Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture), suggesting that this project is likely developed with the advisory support of Elders to integrate carbon credits into the existing farming operation.