Revealed: Plan being considered for Burrum Heads beach dispute

Signs warning residents and tourists away from native title land near a popular beach are being considered to help resolve a fiery dispute that has divided a small Queensland community.

Signs warning residents and tourists away from native title land near a popular beach are being considered as a way to resolve a fiery dispute that has divided a sleepy central Queensland town.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney has revealed in a letter obtained by The Courier-Mail that the signs are being considered and would also outline “how best to access the beach” at Burrum Heads.

While Ms Burney is urging all parties to engage respectfully and find a way to “meet the needs of all stakeholders”, Federal National Party MP for Hinkler Keith Pitt has warned it may not be enough to satisfy everyone as he fights for a way to be found for the beach “to be used by all Australians”.

Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. Picture: Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The Butchulla people were granted almost 100,000ha of native title land on the Fraser Coast in December 2019, including 17,000ha of which is exclusive use.

One small section of this exclusive-use area stretches along a foreshore in front of Burrum Heads residents’ homes and includes a car park which was previously used by people to access the beach.

Ms Burney, responding to a letter from Mr Pitt, said the exclusive native title ruling meant traditional owners had the right to control access to the land in a similar way to freehold land owners.

But she said she wanted all parties to engage respectfully to find practical solutions, noting the Butchulla Native Title Corporation, council and state government were currently working on appropriate beach access for the Burrum Heads community “that also respects the Butchulla people’s rights and interests”.

“This solution may include new signage to inform the local community and visitors about the exclusive areas and how best to access the beach,” Ms Burney wrote.

A land-use agreement with the traditional owners is possible to negotiate, but it is understood this process would take longer and signage is more likely to be the first response.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt. Picture: Angeline Lowther

There is alternative access to the beach about 300m away in Traviston Park.

Mr Pitt said the section of land in question was just a small part of the 17,000ha exclusive use native title.

“Surely all parties can come together and recognise its importance to the local community. It should be able to be shared by all Australians,” he said.

“Signage from council telling people to go away is not the solution.”

A state Resources Department spokesman said discussions were ongoing between the Butchulla people, council and department.

The Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation were contacted for comment.