Woodside Native Reforestation Project - Phase 6

Woodside Native Reforestation Project - Phase 6 is a significant environmental planting aggregation located across multiple distinct regions of New South Wales. The project covers a massive total area of approximately 8,860 hectares and was registered in August 2024. Based on the project coordinates, the planting sites are split between the Northern Tablelands near Nowendoc (roughly 65km inland from Taree) and the Monaro region in the Snowy Mountains, specifically near the towns of Cooma and Bombala.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) methodology. This involves establishing permanent native vegetation on land that has been clear of forest and used for agriculture (such as grazing or cropping) for at least five years prior to commencement. The method typically requires planting native tree and shrub species at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover (generally over 200 stems per hectare) and utilizing the FullCAM model to estimate carbon sequestration.

Given the geographic spread, the environmental conditions vary significantly across the aggregation. The Northern Tablelands sites near Nowendoc generally experience higher rainfall and feature clay or loamy soils suitable for cattle grazing and timber. In contrast, the southern sites in the Monaro region (Cooma/Bombala) are situated in a high-altitude tableland environment known for cold winters, granite and basalt-derived soils, and a history of fine wool (Merino) and beef production.

This project is part of Woodside Energy’s broader corporate strategy to offset its own Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Woodside has been actively acquiring land across Australia to build a portfolio of carbon offsets, often seeking to integrate reforestation with ongoing agricultural activities where possible. Phase 6 represents a continuation of this multi-phase rollout, following earlier projects established in Western Australia and other parts of NSW.