Kingfisher Schedule 2 2024 ACCU-Scheme Project

Kingfisher Schedule 2 2024 ACCU-Scheme Project is a plantation forestry project located across a dispersed aggregation of sites in Northern Tasmania, primarily within the extensive estate managed by Forico. The project area spans approximately 3,472 hectares, with key land parcels situated near regional forestry hubs such as Burnie in the northwest and extending towards the Fingal Valley in the northeast. Registered in July 2025, the project operates on land traditionally utilized for intensive commercial forestry and mixed agriculture.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022, specifically utilizing the "Schedule 2" activity provisions. This involves converting existing plantation forests from a short-rotation schedule, typically harvesting trees every 10–15 years for woodchips or pulp, to a long-rotation schedule where trees are grown for 25–30 years or more to produce high-value sawlogs and veneer. This transition allows the trees to grow larger and store significantly more carbon in their biomass over a longer period compared to the frequent harvesting of short-rotation crops.

The region is characterized by a cool temperate climate with reliable, high rainfall, particularly in the northwest sites which benefit from the "Roaring Forties" weather systems. The soil profile in the project's western aggregation often consists of fertile, red Ferrosols (volcanic soils), which are highly prized for their productivity in forestry and agriculture. The eastern sites typically feature a mix of Dermosols and Podzols. These environmental conditions are ideal for rapid Eucalyptus and Pinus radiata growth, supporting the project's carbon sequestration modelling.

The proponent, The Trust Company (Australia) Limited, acts as the trustee for the Tasmanian Forest Operating Sub Trust, which holds the assets managed by Forico Pty Limited. Forico is Tasmania’s largest private forest manager and a pioneer in the Australian carbon market, having previously registered some of the first plantation forestry projects in the country. The project name "Kingfisher" likely nods to Forico's biodiversity management programs, which monitor high-conservation value species such as the Tasmanian Azure Kingfisher within their water catchment areas.