Oaks Environmental Plantings Project

Oaks Environmental Plantings Project is an environmental planting project located in the Lithgow local government area, approximately 40km northwest of Lithgow and 30km northeast of Bathurst in NSW. It was registered in May 2025 and covers 524.50ha.

Environmental planting projects under the 2024 FullCAM methodology involve establishing permanent native forests by planting a mix of native trees and shrubs. These plantings must have the potential to reach a height of at least 2 metres and achieve a minimum of 20% crown cover, which typically requires a planting density of at least 200 stems per ha.

The Lithgow and Central Tablelands region is known for livestock grazing, mixed farming, and forestry operations. The area is considered to have moderate to high rainfall, and soils are generally clay loams and shale-derived.

This project was set up to establish permanent plantings of native tree and shrub species that are endemic to the local area, meticulously selected to reflect the natural structure and composition of the region's historical native vegetation community. Interestingly, the project proponent, InfraEnergy Solutions Pty Limited, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the major Australian energy infrastructure company APA Group, suggesting this large-scale reforestation effort is likely integrated into the corporation's broader carbon offset and sustainability strategy. The project's strategy and compliance are supported by its agent, Tucker Environmental Pty Ltd, an Australian advisory consultancy specialising in biodiversity and carbon management.