Landari AKD-1

Landari AKD-1 is a plantation forestry project located across dispersed sites in South West Victoria, primarily concentrated in the "Green Triangle" region near the towns of Casterton, Coleraine, and Hamilton, with additional sites in the Otway Ranges near Gellibrand. Registered in May 2020, the project covers approximately 930 hectares of land. The region is a significant hub for Australia's timber industry, characterized by a mix of forestry operations and extensive grazing land for sheep and cattle.

The project operates under the Plantation Forestry methodology, specifically focusing on two key activities: establishing new plantation forests and converting existing short-rotation plantations to long-rotation cycles. In this context, "short-rotation" typically refers to trees harvested quickly (around 10-15 years) for woodchips or pulp, while "long-rotation" allows trees to grow for 25-30 years or more to produce structural sawlogs. By extending the growth period, the project increases the volume of carbon stored in the trees and ensures that the eventual harvested wood is used in long-lived products like house frames, rather than short-lived paper products.

The environmental conditions vary across the project's sites. The areas near Casterton and Hamilton generally experience a temperate climate with moderate rainfall and soils derived from the region's volcanic plains, often consisting of basalt clays and sandy loams suitable for Pinus radiata. The sites in the Otways generally benefit from significantly higher rainfall and fertile clay loams, supporting vigorous tree growth.

Associated Kiln Driers Pty Ltd (AKD), the project proponent, is one of Australia’s largest timber processing companies. The project name "Landari AKD-1" reflects a transition; Landari Pty Ltd was the original participant before the project was formally consolidated under the AKD entity in early 2024. This project directly supports AKD's vertical integration strategy by securing a long-term supply of sawlogs for their local timber mills, ensuring that the carbon credits generated align with their core business of producing structural timber.