Letter reveals state government’s Stradbroke Island ‘rip-off’

The state government has been accused of another RNA Stadium-style ambush over a lack of support for First Nations’ residents living on Stradbroke Island.

The state government has been accused of another RNA Stadium-style ambush over a lack of support for First Nations’ residents living in “third-world living conditions”.

Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams revealed the council received a “surprise” letter from Department of State Development Director-General Mike Kaiser on December 4, asking for its co-operation implementing a town plan for the island town of Dunwich.

The Gumpi Master Plan developed, between the state government and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, is aimed at supporting the island’s transition from mining to a tourism economy and to improve infrastructure at Dunwich and One Mile.

Cr Williams claimed the state had failed to consult with residents before finalising the plan and wiping its hands of delivering it.

“Failing to fully investigate the issues facing Minjerribah residents under this plan is simply another Redlands rip-off by the Queensland Government and an attempt at cost shifting onto Council,” she said.

“Not only is there a need for a detailed implementation plan to support the Gumpi Master Plan but also adequate Queensland Government funding to deliver the plan.

“It’s the state’s plan, we’re not even mentioned in the plan – we’ve been locked out of consultation but we’re expected to pay for it – it’s the RNA mach two.”

North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Supplied

The state government, in a letter to Cr Williams, said there was grant funding available to assist it implementing the plan.

The mayor said she would write to new State Development Minister Grace Grace to “request transparency” about where the $23m granted to QYAC had been spent and the benefits provided.

There remains frustration among North Stradbroke Island residents about the lack of economic outcomes for the expenditure.

QYAC and the state government announced plans to run the Yalingbila whale watching tour from Brisbane which was tipped to generate $35m and create 25 jobs.

It also started early works on a controversial $3.1m Yalingbila Bibula Whale on the Hill project at Point Lookout before it was scrapped.

Cr Williams and councillor Peter Mitchell questioned why the state government had not acted to improve the living standards of residents in One Mile, where indigenous residents are living “in third-world conditions” with no sewerage, complaint buildings and at significant fire risk.

“We have always asked for the government to provide more funding to make sure our First Nations people live in adequate 21st-century conditions,” the mayor said.

Premier Anna Bligh pledged to end sand mining on North Stradbroke Island in 2009, with the state government spending $23m on assisting the transition to tourism.

Cr Williams lashed the decision, declaring it was “political and not in the best interest of our residents”.