AA2025R_PelhamP_S3

AA2025R_PelhamP_S3 is a plantation forestry project located in the locality of Pelham, Tasmania, approximately 20 kilometers northwest of the major service town of New Norfolk and 50 kilometers northwest of Hobart. Registered on August 6, 2024, the project covers 115.25 hectares of land in the Derwent Valley region. The area is characterized by a mix of forestry operations and agricultural pursuits, particularly grazing for sheep and cattle, which utilizes the undulating hills and valley slopes typical of this transition zone between the river valley and the Central Highlands.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. Specifically, it involves an "avoided conversion" activity. This means the land was previously a plantation that had been harvested (or was ready for harvest), and there was a viable economic case to convert the land into non-forested pasture for agriculture. By registering this project, the proponents have committed to replanting and maintaining the plantation for commercial timber production instead. Carbon credits are generated based on the difference in carbon storage between the continuing plantation and the baseline scenario where the trees would have been permanently removed.

The Pelham region experiences a cool temperate climate with moderate to high rainfall, generally ranging from 600mm to 800mm annually, which supports robust tree growth. The soils in this part of the Derwent Valley are typically clay-loams derived from dolerite or sedimentary rock, known for being fertile but often stony, making them well-suited for forestry and grazing.

An interesting aspect of this project is its naming convention and management. The prefix "AA" likely refers to "ActivAcre," a program run by the project participant, SFM Agribusiness. ActivAcre allows landowners to lease underutilized land for timber and carbon projects, providing a dual income stream. The proponent, The Trust Company (Australia) Limited, acts as the trustee for "The Tasmanian Carbon Afforestation Sub-Trust," suggesting this site is part of a larger institutional investment portfolio focused on sustainable timber and carbon assets in Tasmania.