‘We can all enjoy this’: Calls to end to Burrum Heads native title dispute

A dispute over a small section of land running along an idyllic Queensland beach is at the centre of a native title controversy.

• Will I lose my home? Native title Q&A

The Butchulla Native Title group have criticised the actions of a group that has been chasing residents away from the access point to an idyllic central Queensland beach, saying there was a way for “all to enjoy this beautiful country”.

The Butchella people are pushing for a “peaceful solution” to the fiery dispute which has been raging in Burrum Heads, near Hervey Bay, while Federal MP Keith Pitt said it was unacceptable that the conflict had been continuing for more than a year.

Mr Pitt argued the best solution was for the small stretch to be removed from the exclusive use native title ruling.

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 the exclusive-use area stretches along a 20m-wide foreshore in front of Burrum Heads residents’ homes.

This strip has been at the centre of controversy, including complaints that people were being chased off this land and felt unsafe crossing the strip to the beach.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt. Picture: News Corp Australia

Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC) general manager Veronica Bird said they were aware a small group of Butchulla people had established a camp and were using the area without proper authorisation, and that the BNTAC board rejected any action that was preventing public access to the land.

Ms Bird said while the organisation recognised the right of any Butchulla person to exercise their native title rights on that land, she said those rights did not extend to the beach or to blocking access to the beach.

“It’s about being respectful, being good neighbours so we’re all able to enjoy this beautiful country that we love,” Ms Bird said.

She said they were committed to resolving the situation peacefully and collaboratively.

Mr Pitt said residents had no way of knowing who had proper authorisation over native title use in the area.

“The best solution is for that small section of land to be taken out of the native title agreement, that would solve a lot of problems,” he said.

The car park at the centre of the native title controversy in Burrum Heads, with a makeshift blockade erected earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

“It’s unacceptable that this situation has been ongoing for almost a year and local residents have had access to the beach restricted and older residents have felt threatened at Burrum Heads.”

Ms Bird said the BNTAC could not agree to this, saying it took 20 years for their rights to use the land for traditional practices, such as hunting, fishing, gathering, performing ceremonies and learning language, to be recognised by the Federal Court.

“My grandmother and grandmothers of many other families, were among the original applicants to have our native title rights recognised under the Native Title Act,” she said.

“We want to be able to honour that legacy of our elders who did not get to see our successful Native Title claim come to fruition.

Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation general manager Veronica Bird. Picture: Jessica Cook

“We would not want to set a precedent if that was to occur. It would diminish our rights if that was to be an approach proposed by the Federal Member of Parliament.”

A Resources Department spokesman said the Butchulla people’s native title rights and interests were recognised over parts of Burrum Heads in 2019.

“We are continuing to work with the Fraser Coast Regional Council and with Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and support their engagement with the community on management of land,” he said.