Fresh Earth Agriculture - Cooksale West Reforestation Project

Fresh Earth Agriculture - Cooksale West Reforestation Project is a reforestation project located in the Upper Lachlan Shire of New South Wales, approximately 40 kilometres north of Crookwell. Registered on December 2, 2025, the project covers 115.66 hectares. While the project is officially registered as "Cooksale West," it is associated with the proponent Cooksvale West Pty Ltd and appears to be situated near the locality of Cooksvale, suggesting the name may refer to this area.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings, FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2024. This methodology involves establishing permanent plantings of native tree and shrub species on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. The project activities include planting species local to the area to mimic the structure and composition of the surrounding native vegetation community. Carbon sequestration is modelled using the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) rather than direct field measurement, which streamlines the credit issuance process.

Regionally, the Upper Lachlan Shire is characterized by its high-rainfall tablelands environment, making it a prime area for grazing (primarily sheep and cattle) and increasingly for carbon farming initiatives. The soil in this region is typically derived from granite and basalt, offering fertile conditions that support rapid tree establishment when livestock grazing pressure is managed. This project is part of a broader portfolio by Fresh Earth Agriculture, which includes other nearby initiatives such as the Cooksvale Soil Carbon Project and the Glenclair Reforestation Project.