Watson River Station

Watson River Station is a Savanna Fire Management project located on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, approximately 140km southeast of Weipa by road (or 75km by air). Registered in August 2015, the project covers a massive pastoral holding of approximately 89,379 hectares. The region is primarily defined by remote cattle grazing operations, with the station historically running Brahman cross cattle alongside its conservation and carbon farming activities.

The project operates under the Emissions Abatement through Savanna Fire Management methodology. This involves conducting strategic, planned burns during the early dry season (typically cooler months like May or June) to reduce the fuel load on the ground. By doing so, the project aims to prevent high-intensity, uncontrolled wildfires during the late dry season. This shift in fire regime reduces the release of potent greenhouse gases, specifically methane and nitrous oxide, earning Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for the avoided emissions.

Situated in the high rainfall zone of Northern Australia, the property experiences a distinct tropical monsoonal climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 1600mm, heavily concentrated in the wet season (December to April). The landscape consists of tropical eucalypt woodlands and open forests. The soils in this area are a mix of sandy and clay loams, often characterized by the red earths and lateritic profiles common to the Western Cape, which are noted for being naturally deficient in phosphorus.

A significant development for this project occurred around 2022-2023, when the property was acquired by the project proponent, Corporate Carbon (through their agricultural arm, Paniri Agricultural Co). This acquisition marked a transition from the long-term family ownership of the Quartermaine family to a corporate model integrating large-scale carbon management with active cattle production. The site is also ecologically significant, with the Watson River and associated creek systems providing habitat for endemic species such as the Palm Cockatoo and the Magnificent Riflebird.