Hawthorne Koala Friendly Carbon Project

The Hawthorne Koala Friendly Carbon Project is a permanent environmental planting project located on the "Hawthorne" property in the locality of Tombong, approximately 30 kilometers west of Bombala in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales. Registered in September 2024, the project covers a significant area of 1,620 hectares. The region is traditionally utilized for sheep and cattle grazing, characterised by the rolling hills and cool temperate climate of the Monaro Tablelands.

Environmental planting projects under the Carbon Farming Initiative involve establishing native forest cover on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. To meet methodology requirements, the project must plant local native tree and shrub species at a density sufficient to reach forest cover status (typically at least 200 stems per hectare) and a height of two meters. This specific project utilizes the FullCAM model to estimate carbon sequestration, allowing the proponent to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) over a 25 or 100-year permanence period.

The project area is situated in a region with a mean annual rainfall of approximately 600mm to 700mm, which supports improved pastures and native grasslands. The soils in the Tombong and surrounding Monaro landscapes are variable, often consisting of granite-derived sandy loams or basalt-influenced clays, which are capable of supporting diverse eucalypt woodlands. The project's specific "Koala Friendly" naming convention suggests a deliberate selection of tree species favored by the local koala population (such as Eucalyptus viminalis or Eucalyptus radiata), aiming to create wildlife corridors and enhance biodiversity alongside carbon sequestration.

Proponent Mark Mills has a history of engagement with local conservation efforts. Public records indicate the "Hawthorne" property has previously hosted Local Land Services field days focused on landscape connectivity and habitat restoration for threatened bird species like the Scarlet Robin. This background aligns with the project's large-scale revegetation activities, which are likely designed to shelter livestock while simultaneously restoring critical habitat for koalas and woodland birds on land previously used for agriculture.