Icon Water Reforestation Project

The Icon Water Reforestation Project (Project ID: EOP100252) is a reforestation initiative located near Tullamore in the Central West region of New South Wales, approximately 90km northwest of Parkes. Registered in July 2013, the project operates on land previously used for agriculture, specifically within the Lachlan and Parkes local government areas.

This project utilises the Reforestation and Afforestation 1.2 methodology, which involves establishing permanent forest cover on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. A key feature of this specific project is the planting of Eucalyptus polybractea (Blue Mallee), a drought-hardy, multi-stemmed eucalypt species native to the semi-arid interior of NSW and Victoria. Mallee plantings are particularly well-suited to carbon sequestration in lower rainfall areas due to their resilience and ability to coppice (regrow from the base).

The Tullamore region is characterised by a semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 500mm. The landscape is typically dominated by grazing and cropping activities, with soils often consisting of red earths and loams with clay subsoils, conditions in which Eucalyptus polybractea thrives.

Originally registered as the "ACTEW Water Reforestation Project," the project was renamed in 2016 following the rebranding of the proponent, Icon Water (the Australian Capital Territory’s water and sewerage utility). The project serves as a strategic carbon offset asset for Icon Water, helping the utility manage its greenhouse gas emissions, particularly fugitive emissions from wastewater treatment, as part of its "eMission Possible" plan to reach Net Zero. The project is managed with the assistance of carbon service provider CO2 Australia.