Border 2026 Carbon Project

Border 2026 Carbon Project is a plantation forestry project located in the "Green Triangle" forestry region, straddling the border between South Australia and Victoria. The project area spans approximately 165 hectares and consists of multiple sites; one parcel is situated roughly 15km west of Penola in South Australia, while the other lies approximately 20km southwest of Casterton in Victoria. Registered on January 16, 2026, this project is managed by PF Olsen (Aus) Pty Limited on behalf of the proponent, The Trust Company (Australia) Limited (trustee for ANZFOF Sub 1), which is an investment vehicle for New Forests.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022. Specifically, it utilizes the "conversion of a short-rotation to long-rotation" activity. This involves transitioning plantation forests, typically harvested frequently for lower-value products like woodchips (short rotation), into forests managed for longer growing periods to produce high-quality sawlogs (long rotation). By extending the harvest cycle, the trees grow larger and store significantly more carbon over their lifetime compared to the previous management regime.

The Green Triangle region is one of Australia's premier forestry zones, characterized by a cool, wet climate ideal for Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum) production. The area typically receives high reliable rainfall, ranging from 600mm to over 800mm annually. The soils in this region are diverse but often feature sandy loams over clay or limestone bases, including the famous "Terra Rossa" soils near Penola, which support both intensive forestry and viticulture.

An interesting note is the project's ownership structure; "ANZFOF" refers to the Australia New Zealand Forest Operating Fund, managed by New Forests, a global investment manager of nature-based real assets. This suggests the project is part of a larger institutional investment strategy to integrate carbon finance with sustainable timber production. The name "Border 2026" likely references both its cross-border location and its registration year.