Cultura Australia Plantation Project No.1

Cultura Australia Plantation Project No.1 is a plantation forestry project located in the South West region of Western Australia. The project area spans approximately 260 hectares across the Shires of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Donnybrook-Balingup, and Nannup. Based on the registered coordinates, the sites are situated roughly 5 kilometers west of the timber town of Greenbushes and approximately 15 kilometers southwest of Manjimup. Registered in July 2024, the project operates within a region heavily defined by its timber industry, supporting a mix of native forest management, commercial plantations, and grazing agriculture.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. This methodology is distinct from environmental plantings as it allows for the commercial harvesting of timber. The project generates carbon credits by establishing new plantation forests on land that has been clear of forest for at least seven years, and by converting existing short-rotation plantations (typically woodchip) to long-rotation plantations (sawlog). This extends the time carbon remains stored in the trees before harvest and encourages the production of long-lived wood products which continue to store carbon off-site.

Environmentally, the project is situated in a high-rainfall zone with a Mediterranean climate, ideal for rapid tree growth. The soils in this area are typically lateritic gravels and karri loams, which are well-drained and highly suitable for forestry operations. The proponent, Cultura Australia Pty Ltd, engages Delta Forestry as the project manager. Notably, Cultura Australia has been identified as a recipient of funding under the Australian Government’s "Support Plantation Establishment" program, which aims to expand the national softwood estate, suggesting this project likely involves the planting of Pinus radiata (softwood) for future timber supply.