Plantation Pine Products Australia - Plantation Forestry Project PPP2

Plantation Pine Products Australia - Plantation Forestry Project PPP2 is a commercial plantation forestry project located near Euchareena, approximately 25km north-east of Orange in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Registered in July 2023, the project covers a total area of 470.6 hectares within the Cabonne Shire Council area.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. This method credits carbon sequestration achieved by establishing new plantation forests or converting short-rotation plantations to long-rotation ones. Unlike environmental plantings, this project focuses on commercial timber species, likely Pinus radiata (Radiata Pine) given the project name, managed for eventual harvest. Standard commercial stocking densities for such plantations typically exceed 800 to 1,000 stems per hectare to ensure viable timber production.

The region surrounding Orange is a well-established hub for forestry and mixed farming, characterized by its cool temperate climate and reliable rainfall. The area typically receives between 700mm and 900mm of annual rainfall, which is ideal for softwood timber production. The soils in this part of the Central Tablelands are often derived from Tertiary basalts (stemming from the nearby Mount Canobolas), known for being fertile and well-drained, although the landscape can transition to red and yellow duplex soils in the undulating hills towards Wellington.

A key feature of this project is its proponent, Group Energy Pty Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the Borg Group, a major Australian manufacturer of joinery and construction materials (including brands like polytec). Plantation Pine Products Australia (PPP) acts as the forestry division for the group, securing a vertically integrated timber supply for their manufacturing operations while generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to offset corporate emissions. The project is managed with the assistance of The Carbon Farming Foundation, a service provider known for its "DIY-friendly" co-benefits model.