Mitchell River Carbon Project

Mitchell River Carbon Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located on Bellevue Station, approximately 70km north of Chillagoe and 175km west of Mareeba in Far North Queensland. It was registered in August 2022 and covers a massive 216,623.80 ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve regenerating permanent even-aged native forests by altering land management practices on areas where vegetation has been suppressed for at least 10 years. Under the standard requirements of this methodology, the project relies on assisted natural regeneration from in-situ seed sources (including rootstock and lignotubers) rather than direct planting. The aim is for the carbon estimation areas to achieve a minimum of 20% canopy cover at a height of 2 metres or more. To achieve this, the project activities include managing the timing and extent of grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals.

The region encompassing the Mitchell River and Bellevue Station is heavily dominated by large-scale cattle grazing on massive pastoral leases, as well as historical mining. The environment is characterized by a tropical savannah climate with distinct wet monsoonal and dry seasons, typically classified as semi-arid outside the rainy season. Soils in the area generally consist of massive red earths, non-cracking clays, and alluvial deposits along the river corridors, often interspersed with rugged topography and limestone karst formations.

Interestingly, the Bellevue Station property was recently the subject of a high-profile legal dispute in the Queensland Court of Appeal (Bellevue Station Pty Ltd v Consolidated Pastoral Company Pty Ltd). Due to the physical difficulty of erecting fences on the legal boundary through the rugged and steep terrain, Bellevue Station and the neighbouring Wrotham Park historically operated under an informal "give and take" fencing and access agreement. The 2024 court decision explored the enforceability of these pastoral land covenants and access rights when giant cattle stations change hands.