Bar 4 Carbon Project

The Bar 4 Carbon Project is a plantation forestry project located in the Shire of Dandaragan, approximately 30km northwest of Moora in Western Australia. Registered on June 2, 2023, the project covers 1,185.93 hectares.

The region is part of the Western Australian Wheatbelt, an area traditionally dominated by mixed farming, including cropping and sheep grazing. The project site itself is characterized by "sand plain and gravel" soils, typical of the distinct kwongan heathland landscapes found in the Mid West region. The local climate is Mediterranean, with the nearby Badgingarra Research Station recording an average annual rainfall of approximately 518mm, primarily falling during winter.

Operated under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022, this project involves establishing a new plantation forest on land that has not held a forest for at least seven years. Unlike permanent environmental plantings, this methodology allows for the commercial harvesting of timber. Carbon credits (ACCUs) are generated based on the carbon sequestered in the trees as they grow, as well as the carbon stored in the harvested wood products.

The Bar 4 project is notable as the first plantation acquired and developed by the proponent, Outback Carbon Pty Ltd. The project utilizes native hardwood Eucalyptus species for its timber stock. Additionally, the project integrates agricultural practices by allowing sheep to graze within the plantation, which assists with weed management and reduces fire risk while supporting local livestock operations. The project successfully issued its first batch of ACCUs in August 2024.