Mysterious Straddie land clearing could end in court

Legal proceedings could be launched against a Straddie traditional landholder after dozens of trees were inexplicably bulldozed.

Legal proceedings could be launched against a North Stradbroke Island traditional landholder after dozens of trees were inexplicably bulldozed at one of the island’s most picturesque locations.

Several tracts of land on the island paradise’s northern tip have been cleared without warning in the past year.

Traditional owners are permitted to bulldoze trees and build houses in national park under the island’s Indigenous Land Use and Management agreements.

However Redland City Council is investigating the unexplained land clearing and whether it breaches Queensland’s Planning Act – which requires permission for development.

Aerial view of Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island

A council spokeswoman confirmed investigations centre around clearings of land at Samarinda Way and East Coast Rd, Point Lookout.

“Redland City Council is currently investigating two land clearings at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), both of which have compliance investigations and proceedings under way,” she said.

“Council will determine whether potential legal action will be undertaken through the Courts upon conclusion of the current compliance investigations, which are currently anticipated to be finalised around August.”

The spokeswoman said compliance action “relates to alleged offences under the Planning Act”.

“Council will investigate and take necessary compliance action in regard to vegetation clearing when it has jurisdiction to do so,” the spokeswoman said.

“Any compliance and subsequent legal action will be determined based on the facts and circumstances related to individual cases.”

Cleared land at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. Picture Supplied

Any prosecution could further inflate tensions on the island, where traditional owners have been granted the right under Native Title legislation to live on the land.

Separately, about 2000sq­ m of bushland behind Point Lookout was allegedly razed by an employee of the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation – the island’s body corporate organisation – last year.

The unexplained land clearing, on Seqwater property, has fuelled the growing frustration of island residents, who are forced to comply with Redland City Council town planning laws.

It is understood the QYAC employee had planned to build a home on the site.

QYAC did not respond to a request for comment.

QYAC has more than 800 Quandamooka members out of a total island population of just over 2000 people, making it one of the largest Prescribed Body Corporations in Australia.