York Downs Station

York Downs Station is a Savanna Fire Management project located on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, approximately 50km east of the bauxite mining town of Weipa. Registered in July 2015, the project covers a vast area of 129,384 hectares. The property operates as a working cattle station, traditionally managed by the Witherspoon family, who run a Brahman breeding herd that grazes across the station's tropical landscape.

Savanna Fire Management projects in this region involve shifting the fire regime from high-intensity late dry season wildfires to cooler, controlled early dry season burns. By conducting strategic "mosaic" burns early in the year when vegetation is still moist, the project reduces the fuel load. This prevents the large, uncontrollable wildfires that typically occur late in the dry season, thereby significantly reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The region is characterized by a high rainfall monsoonal climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons that drive the fire cycle. The landscape features iconic "red earth" soils, typical of the bauxite-rich Weipa region, supporting eucalyptus woodlands and native savanna vegetation. These soils are generally lateritic or red loams, which are well-drained but can become dusty and dry during the winter months.

An interesting aspect of the York Downs project is its dual focus on carbon abatement and station improvement. Revenue generated from Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) has been used to upgrade station infrastructure, such as purchasing a grader for fire breaks and installing solar power systems to replace diesel generators. The project also reports biodiversity co-benefits, with the controlled burning regime helping to protect habitat for native wildlife, including echidnas and kangaroos, from the devastation of hot wildfires.