Harkness Station

Harkness Station is a Savanna Fire Management project located in the remote Cape York Peninsula of Far North Queensland. The project area sits on the headwaters of the Coleman River, approximately 100km west of the Musgrave Roadhouse and 100km east of Pormpuraaw. Registered in July 2015, the project covers a substantial area of roughly 132,097 hectares.

The region is defined by its use as a remote cattle grazing property, typical of the vast pastoral leases in Cape York. The environment features a tropical savanna climate characterized by a distinct wet and dry season. Rainfall is high, generally exceeding 1,200mm annually, but is heavily concentrated in the monsoonal summer months (November to April). The terrain supports diverse soil types, ranging from deep red earths and lateritic podzolics on the plains to alluvial clays along the extensive river systems.

This project operates under the Savanna Burning methodology, specifically the "Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Early Dry Season Savanna Burning" determination. This involves conducting strategic, cool burns early in the dry season (typically before August) to reduce the fuel load. By doing so, the project aims to prevent high-intensity, uncontrolled wildfires later in the year, thereby reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions and protecting local biodiversity.

An interesting feature of this property is its designation as a Nature Refuge, highlighting its ecological value beyond pastoral use. The project proponent, originally Country Carbon Pty Ltd, is now Terra Carbon Pty Limited, a subsidiary of the GreenCollar Group.