AA2025R_NiettaP_S1

AA2025R_NiettaP_S1 is a plantation forestry project located near Nietta, approximately 30 kilometers south of the coastal town of Ulverstone in north-west Tasmania. Registered in December 2024, the project covers an area of roughly 129 hectares. This region is characterized by a mosaic of agricultural land uses, including grazing (dairy and beef), cropping (potatoes and vegetables), and extensive commercial forestry operations.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. This specific project involves the establishment of a new plantation forest on land where no forest previously existed. Unlike environmental plantings which are permanent and not harvested, this methodology allows for the commercial harvesting of wood products. Carbon credits are generated based on the long-term average carbon stock sequestered by the trees over their growth and harvest cycles.

Environmentally, the Nietta region is well-suited for high-productivity forestry. It falls within a high rainfall belt, receiving between 1500mm and 2000mm annually. The local geology often consists of Cambrian sediments and Tertiary basalt, yielding fertile Ferrosols (red basalt soils) and clay-loam soils that support vigorous tree growth.

A notable aspect of this project is its connection to the ActivAcre program, indicated by the AA prefix in the project name and the involvement of SFM Environmental Solutions. ActivAcre is a partnership between SFM and the investment manager New Forests, designed to lease underutilized farmland from private landowners for timber and carbon production. This allows farmers to diversify income through lease payments while integrating shelterbelts or woodlots into their existing operations. The proponent, The Trust Company (Australia) Limited, acts as the custodian for the investment fund financing the plantation.