FPC 2025 CP3

FPC 2025 CP3 is a plantation forestry project located across multiple sites in the South West region of Western Australia, specifically near the towns of Greenbushes, Manjimup, and Kirup. Registered in August 2025, the project covers approximately 1,005 hectares. The sites are situated within the state's prime forestry belt, approximately 230 to 280 kilometers south of Perth. This region is characterized by a landscape of rolling hills heavily utilized for timber production, mining (notably lithium at Greenbushes), and agriculture such as orchards and grazing.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. This methodology involves establishing new plantation forests or converting existing short-rotation plantations (typically harvested for woodchips) into long-rotation plantations (harvested for sawlogs). By extending the rotation period or establishing new trees, the project increases the amount of carbon stored in the trees and long-term wood products. For this specific project, the Forest Products Commission (FPC) is focusing on securing timber resources for the construction industry while generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

Environmental conditions in this area are ideal for commercial forestry, classifying it as a high-rainfall zone with annual precipitation often exceeding 700mm, primarily falling in winter. The soils are typically ancient, well-drained lateritic gravels and sandy loams (often referred to as "jarrah gravels"), which support vigorous growth for Pinus radiata (softwood) plantations.

A significant aspect of this project is its alignment with the Western Australian Government's $350 million Softwood Plantation Investment Program. Following the state's decision to end commercial logging in native forests by 2024, the FPC has been aggressively acquiring farmland to expand the softwood estate by tens of thousands of hectares. This project likely represents a bundle of these recent land acquisitions designed to support the state's future timber housing construction needs while contributing to climate mitigation targets.