Bellbrook Permanent Plantation Project

The Bellbrook Permanent Plantation Project is a plantation forestry project located near the rural village of Bellbrook, approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Kempsey in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. Registered on December 21, 2025, the project covers a targeted area of 37.66 hectares. The surrounding Macleay Valley region is traditionally defined by a mix of cattle grazing, dairy farming, and timber production, supported by the area's lush, subtropical climate.

This project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. Specifically, it involves the "transition to a permanent forest" activity (often referred to as Schedule 4 of the method). Unlike standard commercial plantations which are harvested and replanted in rotations, this project commits to retaining the existing plantation trees permanently. This generates carbon credits by preventing the emissions that would occur from harvesting and by ensuring the trees continue to sequester carbon as they mature, particularly in scenarios where the land might otherwise be converted to non-forested agricultural use.

Environmentally, the Bellbrook region is characterised by high rainfall and a warm, humid climate that supports rapid vegetation growth. The landscape typically features steep slopes and river flats associated with the Macleay River system. Soils in the broader Kempsey hinterland often include Kurosols and Chromosols, soils with strong texture contrast that are generally acidic but capable of supporting dense timber stands when managed correctly. The project proponent, Coda Carbon Rights Holdings Pty Ltd, manages the transition of this estate to a permanent carbon sink, ensuring the forest cover is maintained indefinitely.