Midway Pty Ltd (Midway), one of Australia’s leading plantation and carbon management companies, is proud to deliver one of the nation’s largest plantation carbon initiatives.
Partnering with the indigenous owned Tiwi Plantations Corporation and backed by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and fund manager River Capital, Midway is managing the establishment of 30,000 hectares of Eucalyptus pellita (red mahogany) plantations on the Tiwi Islands.
The plantation is forecast to generate around five million Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) over its 25-year life, with the first two projects registered with the Clean Energy Regulator forecast to deliver an estimated 865,000 ACCUs.
Tony McKenna, CEO of Midway said: “It is a privilege for Midway to be able to leverage our relationships and expertise to bring together this collaboration between the Tiwi community, River Capital and the CEFC to deliver a landmark carbon initiative.
“We have been pleased to act as the trusted lead, navigating the investment structuring, regulatory, silvicultural and market components of plantation carbon project development to secure this historic outcome, which will provide generational benefits for the Tiwi people.”
The project is already delivering up to $3 million annually into the Tiwi economy, creating sustainable employment, training and community development. In addition to its carbon benefits, the plantation is expected to generate approximately 12 million cubic metres of timber over its life, which will be transported via the Tiwi-owned Port Melville for use primarily in high value timber products.
The project includes the establishment and ongoing management of a seedling nursery on Melville Island, with capacity to grow more than 3 million seedlings annually, providing additional employment and training opportunities. In partnership with the Tiwi Island Training and Employment Board (TITEB), dedicated employment pathways are being developed across all levels of the operation, ensuring long-term skills development and meaningful participation by the local community.
Mr McKenna acknowledged the support of corporate advisory firm Azure Capital and commercial law specialists SBA Law who each provided strategic guidance for the partnership.
He said the visionary project, provides a sustainable blueprint for future investor engagement.
“The Tiwi Islands plantation shows what’s possible when Midway’s well credentialed plantation and carbon management team works together with investors to provide tailored solutions. It is a model we are proud to deliver and one we are ready to replicate with global partners, connecting investors to long-term, high-integrity carbon projects,” Mr McKenna said.
With demand for nature-based carbon credits expected to double over the next decade, Midway is positioning itself as a lead agent, attracting institutional capital to enter Australia’s maturing carbon economy.
Offering end-to-end solutions, Midway’s experienced team oversees every stage of project development, from investment structuring, land sourcing and plantation establishment to long-term management. The company also provides marketing services for the sale of both carbon credits and wood fibre products, supporting projects on behalf of emitters, investors, governments, agricultural enterprises and private landowners.
Nationally, Midway currently manages more than 50,000 hectares of plantation estate both freehold and leased land held with additional holdings in the Otways, Upper Goulburn and Ballarat regions of Victoria.
Hamish Little, General Manager of Plantations and Carbon at Midway said: “The Tiwi project demonstrates our capability in delivering turn-key solutions, from forest certification and carbon management to operational oversight and market access”.
“We are providing investors with confidence that these projects are not only commercially viable but also deliver lasting social and environmental returns. Our focus now is on expanding and deploying more capital into plantation forestry projects at scale, building new partnerships, and delivering projects that help investors achieve their net zero ambitions.”
This latest investment builds on Midway’s management of a pioneering Biofuel pilot in North Queensland, in partnership with Rio Tinto, which is testing the viability of Pongamia tree seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel production, supporting Australia’s growing biofuel market and supporting decarbonisation goals.
Midway’s carbon expertise has also grown through its strategic collaboration with MEAG, a subsidiary of Munich Re, managing a $350 million commitment including investing in $200 million of new hardwood plantations in south-west Victoria.
These projects are delivered by Midway’s new natural capital investment manager, 1971 Capital. To learn more about this business extension visit www.1971capital.com.au.
