Moreton Island tourism operators wait for native title ruling

Traditional owners have spoken out after the Federal Court formally recognised the Quandamooka people as the traditional owners of Moreton Island.

TRADITIONAL owners say their formal recognition as native title holders over Moreton Island off southeast Queensland means they can now use traditional fire management practices on the island hit by bushfires just last week.

Cheers of elation rang out in the Federal Court at Brisbane this morning when the Quandamooka people were formally recognised as traditional owners of the island following a legal process first launched more than two decades ago.

In handing down a consent determination negotiated between the native title holders and all levels of government, Justice Darryl Cameron Rangiah said it was a formal recognition of what the traditional owners have always known.

He said it was a day of celebration for the Quandamooka people but the suffering they experienced through colonisation should also be remembered.

The orders grant native title over 98 per cent of the sand island, also known as Mulgumpin, but have no impact on freehold land or the Tangalooma resort leasehold.

Quandamooka Ngugi Elder Uncle Bob Anderson (right) is hugged by a supporter outside the Federal Court in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

Lead applicant, Robert Anderson, also known as Uncle Bob, said it was a special day but felt he could also weep.

The decision provides certainty over the island following a legal process dating back to 1995, said Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation boss Cameron Costello.

He said a similar agreement was reached for North Stradbroke Island in 2011 and it would not disrupt day-to-day activities on Moreton Island.

Mr Costello said the recognition also means traditional fire breaks could be used on the island aimed at preventing blazes like those on the island earlier this month.

“We’re now looking at traditional fire management practices which are going to help,” he said. “We’ve just had fires on the island, we’re really keen to bring our knowledge and modern science to maintain the beautiful island that it is.”

Overnight, The Courier-Mail reported residents on Moreton - the third-largest sand island in the world – were on tenterhooks today ahead of the finalisation of a native title agreement tourism operators fear could cruel their business and limit access to popular sites.

Member for Petrie Luke Howarth has slammed the State Government for a lack of consultation, including speculation 120ha of land will be returned to traditional owners.

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It means the traditional owners could become the landlords of the privately owned Tangalooma Resort.

Mr Howarth said locals were worried popular sites on the island such as Blue Lagoon, Cape Moreton Lighthouse, the dunes, boulders and champagne pools could become be off-limits to visitors

He said locals, many unwilling to go on the record, were worried about job losses and were critical of the lack of information presented to them.

Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath in 2017 pledged $4 million building a landing site at Scarborough to connect with the island.

Mr Howarth asked: “What’s the point of this promise if all along the State Government’s plan was to reduce tourism and restrict access on the island?”

Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island

Ms D’Ath told The Courier-Mail: “As the local member I’m working with the community and traditional owners on this issue, however there are still ongoing native title matters before the courts that need to be determined.”

A Department of Environment and Science spokesperson said yesterday visitor access to Moreton Island would not be affected by the native title determination, but said any changes would be made with the community.

“The Queensland Government and the Quandamooka People are working together to develop a joint management strategy to protect and manage Mulgumpin’s iconic values,” the spokesperson said.

“Any changes to visitor management arrangements on the island would go through public consultation processes consistent with the requirements in managing Queensland’s national parks.

“The interests of the Quandamooka people, as the island’s traditional owners, is an integral part of these management decisions.”