Coalara Park Australian Sandalwood Plantation Project

Coalara Park Australian Sandalwood Plantation Project is a commercial forestry project located at the "Coalara Park" property, approximately 20 kilometers north of the town of Badgingarra in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. Registered in June 2021, the project covers a net area of 2,335.73 hectares. The surrounding Shire of Dandaragan is traditionally a mixed farming region known for grazing and cropping, though it has seen increasing investment in sandalwood plantations due to suitable soil conditions.

The project operates under the Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry methodology. This specific determination awards carbon credits for establishing new plantation forests or converting short-rotation plantations to long-rotation species. In this instance, the project involves establishing Santalum spicatum (Australian Sandalwood), a native hemiparasitic tree valued for its aromatic oil and heartwood. These plantations typically require the co-planting of host trees, such as Acacia species, to support the sandalwood's growth. The trees will sequester carbon as they mature, with credits generated for the stored biomass minus emissions from management and eventual harvest.

Environmentally, the Badgingarra region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with winter-dominant rainfall, averaging around 500-600mm annually. The "Coalara Park" property itself features diverse soil profiles, ranging from red loams and strong gravels to yellow and pale sands, which are well-suited for sandalwood cultivation. Historical records indicate the property was previously used for mixed farming, including cropping and livestock, before being sold to corporate interests in early 2021 specifically for sandalwood development.

Notably, the project has undergone administrative adjustments since its inception. In August 2022, the project method was updated to the 2022 version of the Plantation Forestry determination. More recently, in July 2025, the project area was varied to remove certain segments of land, likely refining the credited area to match successful establishment zones or exclude non-compliant buffers. The project is managed by Arguello Timber Pty Ltd with advisory support from Corporate Carbon.