Snowy Mountains Forests Plantation Carbon Project #1

Snowy Mountains Forests Plantation Carbon Project #1 is a commercial plantation forestry project with aggregated sites distributed across the Southern Tablelands and South West Slopes of New South Wales. Registered on June 21, 2024, the project covers a total area of 136.43 hectares. The project sites are geographically dispersed: one block is located approximately 20km southwest of Braidwood, another roughly 15km east of Tarcutta (near Humula), and the third approximately 15km north of Bombala.

This project operates under the 2022 Plantation Forestry methodology, specifically utilizing Schedule 1, which governs the establishment of new plantation forests. Unlike environmental plantings which are permanent conservation forests, this methodology allows for the commercial harvesting of timber. The project proponent, Snowy Mountains Forests Pty Limited, establishes softwoods (typically Pinus radiata in this region) on land that has not supported a forest for at least seven years, often converting marginal grazing land into timber production. Carbon credits (ACCUs) are generated based on the carbon sequestered in the trees and wood products, accounting for emissions released during harvesting and processing.

The regions hosting these sites are characterized by cool temperate climates with reliable rainfall, generally ranging from 600mm to over 1000mm annually, which is ideal for softwood timber production. The soils in these areas are varied but typically feature podzols or loams derived from granite and basalt, supporting significant forestry and grazing industries. The proponent, Snowy Mountains Forests, manages a substantial estate of approximately 24,000 hectares across the region, suggesting this specific carbon project likely represents new expansion plots or specific "newness" eligible areas added to their broader portfolio.