Living Carbon: Riverina

Local Land Services is assisting landholders via a NSW Government grant to start a carbon planting project. 

Last updated: 16 July 2026

Drone shot of golden paddocks buffeted by trees in the central Riverina.
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Quick facts

Lead
Local Land Services
Topics
Natural resource management <br> Biodiversity
Local Land Services Regions
Riverina

Project overview

Status: In progress

Local Land Services is working with land managers to support:

  • on-farm carbon management  
  • NSW’s net zero emissions targets.

Project objectives

The Living Carbon Grants Program will:  

  • provide financial and technical support to land managers  
  • assist with design, planning and plantings  
  • increase carbon and biodiversity across the Riverina.

Project background

Carbon planting helps:

  • secure the health of land
  • unlock new income streams
  • revegetate habitats for threatened species.

Project delivery

Work includes:

  • improving on farm biodiversity, sustainability and resilience for landholders
  • diversifying income through earning carbon credits for landholders.

Applications for grants were open from 16 April 2024 to 30 September 2025.

To learn more about the program objectives, view the grant process or the list of current recipients, please refer to the information below.

Living Carbon Grants

 

Work underway

As of June 2026, 6 farms have been supported under the Living Carbon project with mixed species environmental planting completed across 399.34 hectares.

These new plantings have:

  • increased the quantity and quality of shelter belts
  • improved livestock production
  • improved riverbank stabilisation
  • increased erosion control
  • provided habitat for threatened species
  • assisted landholders to diversify their income
  • provided carbon credits to involved landholders. 

Creating diversity at Koolawarra

On Koolawarra, a 394 ha property near Henty in the Riverina region, the Leitch family have started a 30 ha carbon and biodiversity planting project. 

Through the Living Carbon project, they hope to transition the property from cereal and grain cropping to a more diverse enterprise, including pasture, livestock and carbon projects. This will also allow them to focus on restoring the property’s natural assets and reducing its emissions intensity.

Koolawarra contains scattered woodland remnants across the property including along the Mundawaddery Creek line. Historic land management practices and damming of the creek had reduced much of the remnant native vegetation on the property and subsequent biodiversity.  

Through Living Carbon, 4 sites will be planted with box-gum woodland species to:

  • connect the existing woodland and paddock trees to the vegetation adjacent to the property
  • create a wildlife corridor that benefits threatened species, including Squirrel Gliders and the Superb Parrot
  • benefit future production by providing shade and shelter for livestock
  • help offset farm emissions.

They will use the Accounting for Nature standards to measure biodiversity benefits under NV-06: Accounting for Nature and Landcare Native Vegetation Method.

4:15

Living Carbon: ‘Koolawarra’

Read transcript
Video transcript

Living Carbon: ‘Koolawarra’

We have here Koolawarra,
which is 394 hectares, approximately 13 km west of Henty.
And our rainfall, average rainfall is about 400 to 450 ml
Living Carbon is a grants program being delivered through PIPAP.
It provides landholders with financial assistance
with the aim of creating carbon plantings
that will also provide habitat for threatened local species.
So it's been cropped for quite a while and we've had soil sampling done
and realized that you know, that's produced a few problems
and the yields are perhaps not as good as they have been.
And that's the reason we decided really it was a good time to transition
into this more diverse cultivation of the property.
So the planting and then the grazing with the soil carbon project around it.
Virginia Leach was one of the first landholders
in the Riverina to successfully receive a living carbon grant
and we're really excited to see her project get underway.
So we've decided to choose four sites that we can put
approximately 30 hectares of boxgum grassy woodland into.
An environmental planting is a registered
method under the Clean Energy Regulators ACCU scheme.
It involves planting a mixture of native trees and shrubs,
with the aim of establishing a new and permanent forest cover.
On this property we're looking at a 30 hectare carbon planting.
We're going to establish that using two methods.
So we're going to be direct seeding a range of acacia species, over
eight species as well as some Dodonaea or some hot bush, and then in conjunction
with that, to support that direct seeding, which is where we sow the seeds
directly into the ground with a direct seeding machine,
will be doing some tube stock planting.
So the tube stock will be concentrating on the eucalypt species
or the larger overstory species of the site, and that'll allow us
to strategically place them throughout the site to get good spacings.
Projects like Virginia's are registered with the Clean Energy Regulator
to generate carbon credits, which are also known
as ACCUs or Australian Carbon Credit units.
For every tonne of carbon dioxide stored
in the planting The landholder will receive one ACCU.
The landholder can choose to sell the ACCUs
through the carbon market for an added income stream, or they can choose
to hold on to them and contribute them to their farms carbon neutral status.
So Living Carbon aims to demonstrate that carbon plantings can also have
a biodiversity eco benefit which may in turn add value to the price of the ACCUs
This land has been cropped for a really long time, hence
there's not a lot of trees left and cattle particularly,
grazing properties, benefit from the shade, the shelter from the wind.
And these plantings should provide really well that shade and that shelter.
So Riverina Local Land Services is an onground support partner
in the Living Carbon Project.
We provide technical assistance to landholders
so we can help with things like mapping and project design
applying for your grant and the monitoring and reporting requirements.
So as part of the Living Carbon Project,
the project will be registered with accounting for nature
and an environmental account will be developed
to help monitor the biodiversity of the project.
Certainly my experience has been that there has been
a lot of support and a lot of help and I'm really grateful for that.
Yeah, look, this is very exciting for us.
The size and the scale of the carbon plantings is a really exciting thing,
particularly the added benefit
of the corridors that it's creating along the riparian areas on the property.
So yeah, I can't wait to come back in five years time and see how it looks.
So at the moment I'm feeling like I'm really winning
and it's a nice feeling.

Carbon-neutral meat at Eringoarrah Station

Eringoarrah Station covers 7,740 ha along the Murrumbidgee River. Okeview Pastoral runs grass-fed cattle on the property and is working to make their meat carbon-neutral by fully offsetting emissions.

They are planting trees for carbon and biodiversity across 97 ha at 6 separate areas. Each site measures between 4.6 and 29.2 ha. Box-gum woodland species were selected for their ability to stabilise soil and support local wildlife.

Their aim is for the new trees to: 

  • control erosion and connect vegetation

  • provide shelter for livestock

  • create wildlife corridors that boost local biodiversity and help protect the threatened Superb Parrot.

Okeview Pastoral uses the Accounting for Nature standard to clearly show the positive changes their tree planting project is making for biodiversity and the environment. This method helps them track results over time and prove the real impact of their efforts. 

aerial view of green hilly paddocks, tree-lined rivers and dams
Eringoarrah landscape.

Diversifying income on Gilgal Station

Gilgal Station is a 3,641ha property in the heart of the Riverina near Cootamundra. Historically mixed farming, the property is now transitioning to a grazing-focused enterprise, with a strong emphasis on regenerative practices and environmental stewardship.

Gilgal Station, in partnership with Impact Ag Australia (IAA), has initiated a 197-ha and biodiversity planting project which will be assessed using the Accounting for Nature standard to track biodiversity improvements over time. 

The planting project aims to show how to integrate:

  • carbon sequestration
  • biodiversity restoration
  • sustainable agriculture.
Green field with lines on it and trees in the background.
Carbon and biodiversity planting at Gilgal station.

Building a sustainable farming enterprise at Left Arm

Left Arm is a 265-hectare family-owned property located in eastern Riverina near Nangus, NSW. As first-generation sheep farmers, building a sustainable farming enterprise sits at the centre of all decision making. 

Core goals set by the owners are to:

  • ensure healthy ecosystems
  • improve biodiversity 
  • improve land condition.

Through the NSW Government’s Living Carbon Program, Left Arm has initiated a 12-hectare carbon and biodiversity planting, replicating a box-gum grassy woodland using tube stock seedlings consisting of species.  

Two planting sites have been established, each designed for a different purpose.

  1. A shelterbelt planting which will reduce the impact of prevailing winds, provide natural disease and pest control, enhance biodiversity and provide ecosystem services such as pollination. 
  2. Enclosing and revegetating a gully, providing erosion control measures and habitat opportunities for threatened species such as the Superb Parrot.

Production benefits were also considered in the design of these planting sites. Protection from cold and heat stress could:

  • improve pasture production
  • reduce mortality of lambs 
  • increase wool production and weight gains.  

The site's planting resembles PCT 277: Blakely's Red Gum - Yellow Box grassy tall woodland of the NSW South Western Slopes Bioregion and they are using NV-06: Accounting for Nature and Landcare Native Vegetation Method for their carbon accounting.

A flat paddock with an eroded gully running through it.
A gully running through Left Arm that will be part of the replanting project.

Transforming the landscape at Malabar Station

Malabar Station, an 1,852 ha property near Youngis run by MH Premium Farms Glaisnock Land. With a strong focus on sustainable farming methods and long‑term environmental sustainability, the owners aim to link existing vegetation pockets with features such as rocky outcrops, drainage lines and paddock trees. 

Two sites are being planted with box-gum woodland species native to the area. With time, this 19-hectare carbon and biodiversity planting will provide opportunities for insetting or offsetting on-farm emissions through the generation of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). For every 1 tonne of carbon sequestered through the planting, 1 ACCU will be generated.

In order to assess the long-term changes in the condition of the planting, the Accounting for Nature standard will be used to measure the biodiversity outcomes. It is hoped that, over time, ongoing data collection will show local fauna returning to and inhabiting the restored woodlands. 

The planting for this site resembles PCT 266: White Box grassy woodland in the upper slopes sub-region of the NSW South Western Slopes Bioregion. The property is using the NV-06: Accounting for Nature and Landcare Native Vegetation Method for their carbon accounting. 

A flat paddock with lush grass.
Malabar run a mixed farming operation, producing lamb, wool, beef and crops. 

Creating habitat for threatened species at Deltroit Station

Deltroit Station is a 2,542 ha property in Mundarlo owned by MH Premium Farms Watson Park Land. They are undertaking a landscape redesign aimed at improving both environmental outcomes and farming productivity.  

As a part of this program, Deltroit Station has initiated a 43.42-hectare carbon and biodiversity planting project. The project is spread across 5 distinct sites, ranging from 2.6 to 12.4 ha. Given the scale of the project, tube stock seedlings were chosen to establish the new vegetation.

The planting sites will be replicated with box gum grassy woodland species to create a similar habitat to the surroundings. This woodland habitat restoration is expected to benefit a range of key threatened local species in the area which rely on these woodlands for survival. Species include:

  • Black falcon
  • Brown treecreeper
  • Diamond firetail
  • Squirrel glider.

The plantings were designed to provide additional co-benefits including:

  • bank stabilisation along erosion prone waterways and gullies
  • shade and shelter for livestock 
  • increased habitat connectivity.  

Planting for this site resembles PCT 266: White Box grassy woodland in the upper slopes sub-region of the NSW South Western Slopes Bioregion. They are using NV-06: Accounting for Nature and Landcare Farming Native Vegetation Method for their carbon accounting.

A hilly paddock with a dam.
The station operates a successful prime lamb and cattle breeding enterprise, supported by perennial improved and naturalised, native pastures.

Project outcomes

The following videos share practical tips for on-farm carbon plantings.

Laying the groundwork - practical tips for successful planting

4:14

From seed to survival – managing revegetation and knowing your species

2:53

Laying the groundwork - practical tips for successful planting

Video transcript

Laying the groundwork - practical tips for successful planting

On-farm tree planting can drive meaningful change across the landscape.

Undertaking on-farm revegetation takes significant timing and planning.

We are undertaking a 12 hectare planting through the Living Carbon Project.

We saw the opportunity to accelerate some plans we had for the farm through some funding through the Living Carbon Project.

Secondly, we've always wanted to establish some tree lanes on our property.

Through the Living Carbon program, Riverina Local Land Services was able to provide on ground support to landholders.

The preparation we undertook firstly started with working with a member of the LLS to come and help us identify the best possible site on our farm.

In terms of site preparation, we had to firstly fence the area.

Secondly, rip the area and thirdly spray the rip lines.

These preparation techniques gives seedlings the best chance for success.

When planning an ACCU program stems per hectare is a key consideration that you must think about.

My advice to other landholders would be to really be accurate with your mapping originally of your site area.

Species selection is really critical.

We'd encourage the landholder to look at what's naturally occurring in the area.

Consider the type of landscape, so whether it's up on the hills, mid slope, or maybe in those riparian areas, to make sure the species selection is appropriate for the planting conditions.

The best time to place an order with the nursery is when you're planning your project.

It's really important you plan 6 to 12 months ahead.

Your seasonal planting condition is generally between June and September, so 6 to 12 months before that is appropriate.

It allows the nursery lead time to grow your species, seed collection and propagation, and it gives you the most chance of plant availability for your site.

Reach out to your preferred suppliers early enough in order to lock them into the time frames, because things do need to be done in a way to meet the criteria.

So we needed to rip in the summer time.

We needed to have started our fencing before that, and I needed to have sprayed four weeks out from the planting.

So it's really important to consider at the time of planting, whether you want to put tree guards on. Some sites may need it, but others don't.

So it's important that they're put on firmly and that can protect the stem from any vermin.

The key tips when planting tube stock as farmers, first of all, planting at the most appropriate time, planting into good subsoil moisture.

Don't bend the roots, nice and firm around the root ball.

What we say is deep, tight and upright.

Use guards where needed, but handle the seedlings carefully as well.

Often landholders come across several challenges and questions before planting even takes place.

It's really important that you plant at the right time and that you've had good site preparation prior to that.

These can have a huge impact on success.

Seasonal conditions such as lack of rain, hot, dry weather can really affect your planting success.

So really important that we're planting into good subsoil moisture to give every chance of success.

We collect seed from the Murray region and beyond, into Riverina, western and parts of north east Victoria.

When direct seeding, controlling your weeds, controlling red legged earth mite and having low biomass is important for direct seeding.

Seasonal conditions can play a role in access to the site.

With germination, the seeds will wait until optimal time.

They're treated beforehand, but they will wait until they're ready and then germinate en masse once conditions are ready.

Rabbit numbers need to be low because they will eat the germinates coming out of the ground at ground level, and it will impact the success of direct seeding.

Managing weeds and managing stock out of areas that are being direct seeded is the two most important things.

In-fill planting is important, especially for species that have dormancy with their germination.

Murray Native Seed Services is there to help landholders to pick that vegetation and restore their environment.

Find out what's happening in the Riverina

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Funding and partnerships

This project is funded and administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, as a part of NSW Government’s Living Carbon Grants Program.

Contact Local Land Services NSW

We welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments.  Contact our team

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Phone:1300 795 299
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