Gold Coast native title group calls for City review of cultural heritage sites

A native title group claims Gold Coast City Council may have used the wrong entity to assess cultural heritage sites, saying it could call into question billions worth of projects. But council has hit back against the claims.

A native title group’s claim that the wrong organisation may have been used to assess cultural heritage projects has prompted the Gold Coast City Council to legally review its decisions.

Jabree Ltd, a local charity representing and wholly owned by the Gold Coast Native Title Group, alleges up to $1 million annually may have been wrongly awarded to the Danggan Balun group for cultural heritage assessment.

Council has responded by strongly rejecting the claims, maintaining an independent review shows it is using the right group.

The row escalated after several meetings with the native title group launching numerous Right to Information requests.

Jabree says using the wrong entity could call into question major project assessments including a potential cable way, proposed Greenheart parklands at Robina, the Botanic Gardens upgrade, a new indoor stadium at Carey Park and HOTA expansion.

Jabree leaders sent a 19-page information pack to council including official state government mapping it says shows the group has cultural heritage coverage of almost the entire Gold Coast.

They claim council sidelined their group in favour of the Danggan Balun “for reasons unknown”.

Jabree Ltd director Southport-born Wesley Aird said his organisation was prepared to undertake a formal review of it for council.

Jabree Ltd director Wesley Aird, in Southport. His group has complained to Gold Coast City Council about cultural heritage assessments.

“Jabree, in its own right, and at council’s cost, seeks to undertake a review of all cultural heritage assessments and work undertaken by the City of Gold Coast from January 1, 2023 to present date,” he said.

In the information pack, Jabree Ltd said Danggan Balun coverage is for “only a minority of the Gold Coast, with the vast majority covered by the Gold Coast Native Title Group Aboriginal Party”.

But council administration categorically denies failing to meet obligations under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 – or that any projects were at risk.

In July 2024 senior officers from council administration met with a representative from Jabree Ltd, the spokesperson said.

Jabree Ltd director Wesley Aird has provided this State Government map with the orange area showing his group's coverage for cultural heritage on the Gold Coast.

During the meeting concerns were raised in relation to the City’s treatment of cultural heritage claims, the spokesperson added.

“In response to these claims the City took immediate action. An independent legal expert was engaged to review the City’s compliance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Cultural Heritage Duty of Care Guidelines,” the spokesperson said.

Jabree Ltd director Wesley Aird at Carey Park in Southport.

The review found:

*The City complies with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Cultural Heritage Duty of Care Guidelines;

*The City always makes reasonable efforts to consult and engage with the registered native title claimant for the area and the previous native title claimant for the area as required by the relevant legislation;

*The City utilises the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register and Database and prescribed processes in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and Cultural Heritage Duty of Care Guidelines.

“A copy of this independent legal review is available on the City website,” the spokesperson said.

The Bulletin on Wednesday contacted the Queensland South Native Title Services for comment from Danggan Balun but it replied “given the complexity of the issues involved” a response was unable to be obtained before deadline.

Legislation ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage is preserved, with corporations facing penalties of up to $1.6 million and $80,000 fines for individuals or two years jail.

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