McKenzie revegetation Project pilot

The McKenzie revegetation Project pilot is a small-scale Environmental planting projects project located approximately 20km southwest of Darkan, within the Shire of West Arthur in Western Australia. Registered in March 2022, the project covers a compact area of 4.76 hectares. The region is situated in the transitional zone between the heavy jarrah forestry belt of Collie and the wheat-sheep agricultural belt. Consequently, the surrounding land use is predominantly agricultural, focusing on grazing and cropping, interspersed with forestry plantations.

Environmental planting projects under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Methodology generally involve establishing permanent native vegetation on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. This specific project utilizes the FullCAM model to estimate carbon sequestration and involves planting a mix of native tree species suitable for the local environment. The "pilot" designation in the project name, combined with the small project area, suggests this is likely a trial site for the proponent, Mitsui & Co. Wood Resources Oceania Pty Ltd, a major player in the Australian forestry and woodchip sector.

The Shire of West Arthur experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Rainfall in this specific locality typically averages between 600mm and 700mm annually, supporting productive agriculture and timber growth. Soil types in the area are characteristically variable, often consisting of lateritic gravels on ridges and sandy loams or clay soils in the valleys. A variation to the project was noted in May 2024, where specific areas were removed from the project scope, likely refining the pilot boundary.