AA2024R_NixonL_S3

AA2024R_NixonL_S3 is a Plantation Forestry project located in the George Town local government area, approximately 50km north of Launceston in northern Tasmania. It was registered in June 2024 and covers an area of 32.88 hectares.

The Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022 allows for the generation of carbon credits by establishing new plantations, converting short-rotation to long-rotation plantations, or avoiding the conversion of existing plantations to non-forested land. Standard requirements include maintaining a commercially viable forestry plantation managed for the harvest of wood products, which typically involves achieving a minimum stocking density to ensure at least 20% crown cover and a canopy height of 2 meters.

The surrounding George Town and Tamar Valley region is traditionally known for a mix of forestry operations, grazing, and broadacre agriculture. The area experiences moderate to high rainfall typical of northern Tasmania's cool temperate climate. Soils in the region are diverse, largely consisting of sandy clay loams, coastal sands, and podzolic profiles.

This project sequesters carbon by avoiding the conversion of a plantation to non-forested land. It achieves this by maintaining an existing plantation forest that was originally established under another method for the commercial harvesting of wood products.

The project's proponent is The Trust Company (Australia) Limited acting as trustee for The Tasmanian Carbon Afforestation Sub-Trust, with SFM Environmental Solutions Pty Ltd serving as the project agent. Interestingly, the Tasmanian Carbon Afforestation Sub-Trust is actively involved in expanding commercial forestry in the state and has been a successful grant recipient under the Australian Government's Support Plantation Establishment program.