Savanna Burning Project

The Batavia Savanna Burning Project covers an area of 241,637 ha in Far North Queensland. Savanna burning is a cultural tradition amongst the Batavia Traditional Owners and has been used for many generations to manage the land.  

The project activities involve strategic and planned fire management of savanna areas in the high rainfall zone during the early dry season to reduce the risk of late dry season wildfires. These preventative measures provide significant cultural and environmental co-benefits. They prevent wildfires from threatening cultural sites, essential infrastructure, and biodiversity by conserving vegetation, animal species and protects wetlands

The project is situated in the > 1000mm rainfall isohyet in Far North Queensland, and is managed by the Batavia Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (BTOAC)  

Batavia Downs was originally established as a grazing property, it then became a Queensland State Government (Department of Primary Industries) research station, before being granted back to the Atambaya, Northern Kaanju and Yinwum People in November 2012. 

A portion of the land, being Batavia National Park, Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL), is jointly managed by Queensland Parks & Wildlife (QPWS) and the Batavia Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (BTOAC). Neighbouring properties include Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve (north-west), Bramwell (north), Bromley (east), Lockhart River and Merluna (south), Sudley and Billy’s Lagoon (west). 

Since 2023, Gondwana Carbon has acted as the agent of the Batavia Savanna Burning Project, assisting BTOAC in the development and management of their carbon project. 

Batavia has engaged Tropical Fire Technologies P/L (TFT) since 2017 to assist with it’s Fire Operations.