Moreton Island native title claim on track for November court hearing

Moreton Island could be renamed Mulgumpin and the island’s national park could be called Gheebelum Coonungai National Park under a landmark native title determination.

ISLAND LIFE: Moreton Island is part of an indigenous land use agreement.

MORETON Island could be renamed Mulgumpin and the island’s national park could be called Gheebelum Coonungai National Park under a landmark native title determination.

The move to recognise native title on 98 per cent of the island is firmly on track, after the Quandamooka People decisively approved a settlement agreement this week.

NATIVE TITLE GROUP IN LOGAN

WETLANDS WARRIORS

In their largest meeting, more than 350 Quandamooka People unanimously agreed to terms that clear the way for a Federal Court determination hearing in November.

The settlement agreement includes two indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) negotiated with the Queensland Government that include Aboriginal Land Act freehold, joint management over the national park, land transfers, future eco-tourism sites, new Quandamooka Ranger positions, jobs targets for Quandamooka identified positions, cultural heritage surveys, and revenue from land assets.

Tangalooma on Moreton Island. Photo: Paula Shearer.

The ILUA also proposes renaming Moreton Island National Park to “Gheebelum Coonungai National Park” reflecting the Quandamooka Ngugi story of the Lightning’s Playground.

The Mulgumpin claim seeks exclusive native title rights over small sections of unallocated State land on the island and non-exclusive rights over the rest.

The claim will not impact on freehold land or current leases with community groups and the majority of Moreton Island will remain national park, with 120 hectares added.

The applicant for native title is Dr Robert Anderson, known as Uncle Bob, a Quandamooka Ngugi elder.

The applicant is Dr Robert Anderson, known as Uncle Bob, a Quandamooka Ngugi elder.

$1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. Min. cost $4

A successful Native Title claim will recognise that Mulgumpin has always been Quandamooka

country.

QYAC chief executive Cameron Costello said it would mean traditional owners would care for the land, as they have for generations, guaranteeing the island would remain a pristine sanctuary thousands of years into the future for everyone to enjoy.

QYAC chief Cameron Costello on North Stradbroke Island. Photographer: Liam Kidston

“It means jobs, more rangers caring for country and new positions in training, tourism and

hospitality,” Mr Costello said.

“Getting native title is not the end of the story. QYAC wants to make it work for the Quandamooka people and to do that we have to unlock the land.

“We are doing that on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) and people will find that a strong Quandamooka community, supported by native title rights, is a win for everyone,” he said.