Stradbroke Island housing plan ‘no secret deal’ as exclusive waterfront land unlocked
Some of the poorest people on North Stradbroke Island will be given land at the island’s most exclusive address as part of a native title rezoning deal finalised this week.
Redlands Coast
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Some of the poorest people on North Stradbroke Island will be given land at the island’s most exclusive address as part of a native title rezoning deal finalised this week.
The land rezoning, published in the Government Gazette this week, unlocked 25 parcels of indigenous land for subdivision for indigenous use, which could include an eco tourist resort at Point Lookout.
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Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said the move would allow indigenous families, including those who were unable to afford to buy on the island, to finally build their own homes at Point Lookout, Amity and Dunwich.
The island’s top indigenous business leader slammed claims of a secret land deal with the state government and disputed allegations it would slash property prices.
Mr Costello said the land release would open business opportunities for the island including an aquaculture and fresh seafood hub, a culture and arts centre and walking trails linking Moreton Island and South Stradbroke.
He said land in the Quandamooka Land Aspirations Areas would not be sold and would likely be handed to families on 99-year leases, which could be passed down through generations.
Plans were for modular, sustainable and affordable houses at all three townships with more than 300 blocks mapped out.
“We have finally found the way forward after sandmining and it’s not by selling any land — we are looking at land for our own people,” he said.
“We worked too hard for 16 years to get our land returned for us to turn around and sell it.
“This rezoning will provide for those families who have had generations of links to the island.
“I don’t believe it will devalue any land as we are not releasing more land for sale.
“This has been a long time coming and plans to increase indigenous housing have been talked about since the Native Title determination in 2011 – so it is not correct for people to say it was secret.
“Only the timing of the announcement was secret – and even QYAC had no control over when that state government gazettal was to be announced.
“We could have started this housing project years ago except Redland City Council refused to put the rezoning through its town plan and left that responsibility to the state government.”
Redland City Council said the announcement had come as a surprise but was aware the council would still play a role in assessing development projects on native title land.
The LNP said it would establish a parliamentary inquiry into the land deal, claiming it was “tearing the community apart” and threatening pristine environment.
LNP Member for Oodgeroo Mark Robinson said the community had a right to know the details of the deal that could affect hundreds of blocks across the island.
“I am severely concerned pristine land on North Stradbroke Island zoned for conservation could simply be bulldozed,” he said.
“Many parcels of land are affected by bushfire, koala and protected vegetation overlays and significantly more consideration needs to be given to impacts.
“The community deserves better and the people of Queensland deserve better than Labor brokering secret deals behind their backs.”