AA2024R_WoodsdaleP_S3

AA2024R_WoodsdaleP_S3 is a plantation forestry project located in the rural locality of Woodsdale, approximately 32km south-east of Oatlands and 65km north-east of Hobart, Tasmania. Registered in July 2024, the project covers a relatively small area of 158 hectares. The region is characterized by a mix of forestry and grazing land uses, typical of the Southern Midlands and East Coast transition zone.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022, specifically utilising the "Avoided Conversion" activity (Schedule 3). This methodology credits the carbon stored in trees that were at significant risk of being cleared and converted into non-forested land, such as pasture for livestock. By committing to continue the plantation cycle, either through replanting or managing regrowth, the project prevents the release of stored carbon that would occur if the land were cleared for agriculture.

Environmentally, the Woodsdale region experiences a cool-temperate climate with moderate rainfall, averaging around 600mm annually, which supports both dry sclerophyll forest and commercial plantations. The terrain generally consists of gentle slopes with soils ranging from clay loams to structured dermosols, making the land versatile for both timber production and the grazing operations that compete for land use in the area.

This project is managed by SFM Environmental Solutions, a prominent Tasmanian forest manager overseeing more than 50,000 hectares of natural assets. The proponent, The Trust Company (Australia) Limited, acts as a trustee for The Tasmanian Carbon Afforestation Sub-Trust, an investment vehicle likely designed to aggregate similar forestry assets. The "S3" in the project name directly references Schedule 3 of the methodology, highlighting its specific focus on preventing deforestation and land-use change.