Woodside Native Reforestation Project - Phase 9

The Woodside Native Reforestation Project - Phase 9 is an environmental planting project located in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales, situated approximately 25 kilometers northwest of the township of Bombala. Registered on November 21, 2025, the project covers an area of 628.1 hectares. The surrounding region is traditionally defined by its rolling treeless plains and open woodlands, primarily utilized for sheep and cattle grazing as well as softwood forestry operations.

This project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM" (2024) methodology, which is the updated standard for establishing native vegetation to sequester carbon. The project involves planting a permanent mix of native tree and shrub species tailored to the local vegetation community, with a stocking density sufficient to achieve forest cover. Unlike commercial forestry, these plantings are not intended for harvest; instead, they are designed to grow permanently (with a nominated permanence period of 100 years), generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) as the trees mature and store carbon.

The environmental conditions of the Monaro High Country are distinct, characterized by a cool temperate climate with a "rain shadow" effect that results in lower annual rainfall (typically 500–700mm) compared to the adjacent Snowy Mountains. The soils in this specific area are often derived from basalt or granite, supporting the region's historic native grasslands and grassy woodlands.

As part of Woodside Energy's broader carbon portfolio, this "Phase 9" project represents a continuation of the company's significant investment in land-based carbon removal. Woodside typically acquires marginal agricultural land to establish these biodiverse plantings, generating offsets to manage its liabilities under the Safeguard Mechanism. The 2024 methodology used here introduces updated flexibility compared to previous versions, such as allowing for immediate project commencement upon application and permitting limited seed harvesting.