BHP and Barada Barna people sign historic native title agreement

The agreement will set the Barada Barna people on a path to self-determination after 18 months of negotiations.

BHP has signed a historic native title agreement with the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation that will deliver immediate and intergenerational benefits to the Barada Barna people.

The Barada Barna people are the native title holders, determined in September 2016, over about 3000sq km of land in Central Queensland, where BHP Mitsui Coal’s South Walker Creek Mine is located.

The agreement will deliver financial benefits towards projects that enable Barada Barna people to live and work on-country, as well as contributions in the form of contracting, business, employment, education and training opportunities.

BBAC chairperson Luarna Walsh said the agreement would have long-term benefits for their people and community, and achieve projects the BBAC had in the pipeline “for a considerable amount of time”.

“I’m very proud to have been involved in this negotiation alongside Barada Barna directors and after tough and sometimes testing negotiations, to say we have reached a successful outcome,” she said.

“Importantly it sets Barada Barna on a path of self-determination.

“It will ensure BBAC is sustainable into the future and help our next generation of descendants achieve their goals through schooling and university, and employment and training.

“This agreement also provides BBAC with the ability to diversify our income streams by creating Traditional Owner businesses that can tender for a variety of contracts on country.”

The Barada Barna Native Title Project Agreement is unique and puts into practice these renewed commitments including an approach to cultural heritage which reflects a true partnership and which recognises that cultural heritage management is a continuous process which must adapt to new information regarding heritage sites or their significance.

The agreement does not prevent the Barna Barna people from speaking freely and publicly about their cultural heritage.

BMC asset president Elsabe Muller said the agreement recognised the Barada Barna peoples’ sacred connection to the land and surrounding waterways, and it outlined “a path forward for a relationship based on trust, respect and mutual benefit”.

“Over the last 18 months, we have been working together to create trusted relationships built on listening and respect to negotiate an agreement that will fundamentally change lives for generations to come,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to continue working with the Barada Barna people and delivering for their communities with sustainable benefit to their economic, social and cultural wellbeing.

“The agreement will see BMC and Barada Barna work together in relation to the management of Cultural Heritage at South Walker Creek and deepening our workforce’s knowledge and understanding of Barada Barna history and connection to Country through cultural awareness training.”

It is the first agreement BHP has negotiated with a Traditional Owner group since the company renewed its commitment to agreement making and cultural heritage.