Barlona Carbon + Biodiversity Project ID1121

Barlona Carbon + Biodiversity Project ID1121 is a permanent environmental planting project located near Lilydale, approximately 25km north-east of Launceston in Tasmania. Registered on July 14, 2022, the project covers 22.62 hectares of land situated within the Launceston City Council local government area. The site lies in a region characterized by a cool temperate climate and a mosaic of agricultural and forestry land uses.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM methodology. This involves establishing native trees and shrubs on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years, typically ensuring a stocking density sufficient to achieve forest cover (potential of 20% crown cover and 2 meters in height). As a participant in the Australian Government's Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot, this project not only generates Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for sequestering carbon but is also recognized for delivering specific biodiversity improvements. This includes planting mixed species native to the local vegetation community to create habitat and shelter.

The Lilydale region is well-regarded for its high rainfall and productive soils, which often support grazing, dairy, and vineyards. The soils in this vicinity are typically fertile Ferrosols (red clay soils) or Dermosols, which are well-suited to supporting rapid tree growth and forest regeneration. The transition from agricultural use to permanent native forest in this high-rainfall zone suggests a strong potential for successful carbon sequestration.

An interesting feature of this project is its specific designation as "ID1121" within the Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot. This pilot program was designed to trial market arrangements for farmers, offering a dual revenue stream: one for the carbon abatement and another specifically for the biodiversity stewardship provided by the plantings.