Arcturus Downs Biodiversity Restoration Project 1

Arcturus Downs Biodiversity Restoration Project 1 is a significant environmental planting project located on the renowned "Arcturus Downs" station, approximately 32km northeast of Springsure and 60km south of Emerald in Queensland's Central Highlands. Registered on October 28, 2025, the project covers a substantial area of 1,415 hectares.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2024. This methodology credits landholders for establishing permanent native forests on land that was previously clear of forest cover. Unlike commercial forestry, these plantings are not intended for harvest; they are designed to sequester carbon and restore local biodiversity. The 2024 iteration of this method creates specific requirements for "forest potential," meaning the planted trees must be managed to reach a height of at least 2 meters and achieve a crown cover of at least 20%.

The location, Arcturus Downs, is a flagship agricultural property situated in Queensland's "Golden Triangle", a region famous for its exceptional soil fertility. The area typically features brigalow cracking clays and deep alluvial scrub soils, which are highly productive for both cropping and grazing. The region receives a reliable average annual rainfall of approximately 685mm, supporting a mix of irrigated cotton, sorghum, and extensive cattle operations.

A unique aspect of this project is its proponent, Meldora Land Management Pty Ltd. This entity is part of a high-profile investment platform backed by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and global investor CDPQ (La Caisse), managed by Gunn Agri. The project represents a modern "integrated landscape" model where large-scale carbon and biodiversity restoration (1,400+ ha) is embedded directly within a working institutional-grade agricultural asset, rather than locking up the entire property solely for carbon.