Northern Rivers Estate

The Property Master Plan for Northern Rivers Estate was carried out in late 2022. It is an ambitious and far-reaching undertaking that spans generations. The owners' primary objective is to destock and rewild the land. When they took ownership of the property it was an expansive mix of degraded grazing pastures, poorly-drained cropping land, and regrowth wet and dry sclerophyll bush. In all vegetated areas, the usual suite of tenacious weeds of the region thrived and required significant resources to prevent complete infestation. 

Central to the ecological vision is a constructed wetland in the low-lying valleys that run through the property. Wetlands globally are biodiversity hotspots, supporting intercontinental species of migratory birds. They are also highly threatened ecosystems that suffer some of the highest rates of habitat destruction and pollution of all natural land types. The property vision invites university (conservation biology/ restoration ecology) study projects and community educational opportunities in the creation of a privately-owned wildlife refuge as a habitat asset for the region. The design includes a series of tiered impoundments that act as a barrier to floodwater and debris, and facilitate extreme weather access to the future house site on the northern end. 

The business plan aims to increase and expand profitability of the property through diverse enterprises including a wellness spa, a cultural centre, a community small business hub, recreational vehicle storage, agritourism (from walk-in camping to high-end cabins), cut flowers and organic fruit, nut and vegetable production. Revenue from these commercial ventures is intended to contribute to ecological initiatives and land management strategy.

The first implementation projects are now underway, including the removal of stock fencing and the installation of 35 000 tubes of mixed rainforest species on the south-facing slopes in the large valley to the north of the property. 

The Master Plan for Northern Rivers Estate is a model for land stewardship and economic diversification for other landowners in the region.