Lenah2024R_Cilfa_S2

Lenah2024R_Cilfa_S2 is a plantation forestry project located near Fentonbury in the Derwent Valley, approximately 60km northwest of Hobart and 25km from the regional hub of New Norfolk. Registered in July 2024, the project encompasses 176 hectares of commercial timberland. The surrounding region is a patchwork of agriculture, known particularly for historic hop fields and grazing, alongside extensive forestry plantations that transition into the Tasmanian Central Highlands.

The project operates under the Plantation Forestry methodology, specifically focusing on the conversion from short-rotation to long-rotation schedules. While short-rotation plantations are typically harvested quickly for low-grade woodchips or pulp, this project aims to extend the growth period of the trees. By thinning and pruning the timber to produce high-quality sawlogs, the trees remain in the ground for a significantly longer duration. This extension increases the average carbon stock held within the forest and sequestered in the resulting long-life wood products.

The Derwent Valley region is characterized by a cool, temperate climate with moderate to high rainfall, creating ideal conditions for rapid timber growth. The terrain typically features clay and loam soils, often supporting both agricultural pastures and radiata pine plantations. Lenah Estate, the property holding the project, is a major forestry asset covering over 27,000 hectares, acquired by international investor New Forests in 2020. It is managed by Tasmanian firm SFM Environmental Solutions, who have been actively involved in environmental restoration works within the estate, such as rehabilitating riverbanks along the nearby Tyenna Rivers and Junee Rivers.