Caloora Carbon Project

Caloora Carbon Project is a plantation forestry project located in the Shire of Plantagenet, approximately 10km south of Rocky Gully and 60km west of Mount Barker in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Registered on April 8, 2025, the project covers a substantial area of 1,281 hectares.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. This methodology allows for carbon abatement through establishing new plantation forests or managing existing ones to increase carbon stocks. Specifically, the Caloora project includes activities to "avoid conversion," suggesting it protects an existing plantation that might otherwise have been cleared for agriculture, alongside establishing new commercial timber stocks. Unlike permanent environmental plantings, this method facilitates commercial harvesting (rotation) of wood products while claiming credits for the long-term average carbon stored.

The surrounding Rocky Gully and Frankland River region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with relatively high annual rainfall, typically falling between 600mm and 800mm, which supports the area's extensive blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) forestry and viticulture industries. The local terrain often features undulating lateritic hills with ironstone gravels (pea gravel) and sandy duplex soils, which are well-suited to deep-rooted forestry operations.

An interesting aspect of this project is its partnership with The Carbon Farming Foundation (CFF). The proponent, Caloora (WA) Pty Ltd, utilized CFF's "DIY" service model, which allows landholders to retain a higher percentage of carbon credits and profits compared to traditional developer models. Notably, this project was registered shortly before CFF ceased offering new carbon project services in mid-2025.