FPC 2025 CP1

FPC 2025 CP1 is a commercial plantation forestry project located across multiple aggregated sites in the South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia. The project areas are dispersed, with significant plots situated approximately 25km west of Nannup (near the Donnelly River), in the Lake Muir region east of Manjimup, and near the rural locality of Rocky Gully. Registered in July 2025, the project covers a total area of approximately 2,045 hectares.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. This methodology credits the carbon sequestered by establishing new plantation forests or converting short-rotation plantations to long-rotation. Unlike environmental plantings, this method allows for commercial harvesting of wood products; carbon credits are calculated based on the long-term average carbon stock of the plantation cycles. Given the proponent is the Forest Products Commission (FPC), this project is likely part of the Western Australian Government's $350 million Softwood Plantation Investment Program, aimed at expanding the state's estate of Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) to support the construction industry while generating carbon offsets.

The region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with high rainfall, typically ranging from 600mm to over 1000mm annually, which is essential for viable commercial forestry. The soil composition in these areas varies but predominantly features the lateritic gravels and sandy loams typical of the Darling Plateau and Southern Forests, often associated with native Jarrah and Karri forests. The surrounding land use is a mix of state-owned forestry reserves, cattle grazing, and viticulture, particularly in the Rocky Gully and Manjimup areas.