Two-year deal allows Straddie Indigenous to develop 25 parcels of state land

Planning measures have been extended to allow Indigenous people to develop state-owned blocks, including exclusive waterfront sites, on North Stradbroke Island.

A map showing the temporary local planning instrument land uses and Quandamooka Land Aspirations for Point Lookout. Red signifies tourist accommodation; blue is a local centre zone; light green is for recreational and open space; dark green is conservation; pink is low-impact industry; yellow is community facilities and beige is emerging community zone.

The state government has stepped in to grant a two-year extension to land use protections over 25 parcels of land on North Stradbroke Island, also known as Minjerribah.

The previous protections expired on Wednesday, forcing Deputy Premier and Local Government and Planning Minister Steven Miles to act.

The extension allows the island’s Quandamooka people to develop the 249 hectares of environmental and cultural land on state-owned blocks, some of which are exclusive waterfront land.

The land is at Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout, and none are freehold blocks.

Under the planning measure, the Quandamooka people can use the land for purposes including a tourist centre, waterfront and marine industries, community facilities, conservation and residential.

Sites included in the land use agreement at Amity.

Mr Miles said the lots could now be rezoned for housing or community uses to give the Quandamooka people the opportunity to “realise their aspirations”.

The extension also gives Redland City Council more time to include the changes to the island land zonings while it is drafting its new town plan.

“It ensures there are opportunities for the Quandamooka people to live on land and it respects their rights and connection to the land,” Mr Miles said.

“This includes the right to propose development, which would still need to comply with assessment benchmarks set out under the Redland City Plan 2018.

“I know Redland City Council is progressing a planning scheme amendment to incorporate the current planning measures, but that amendment won’t be ready before the expiration of the existing measures.

“This was critical, to ensure we continue providing important residential, cultural and business opportunities for the Quandamooka people and will benefit the broader Minjerribah community.

“It encourages more business, boosts the local economy and provides housing and jobs for people on the island.

“My department will continue to work with Redland City Council to ensure that the planning scheme amendment, which has already been subject to public consultation, is progressed in a timely manner.”

Sites at Dunwich that are included in the TLPI.

This week’s planning measure extension follows the introduction in 2020 of the first temporary local planning instrument, known as a TLPI, which protected the island’s Indigenous community’s land use rights on the state land.

The State Development and Planning Department said Redland City Council officers were included in the extensive planning and assessment undertaken to select the parcels of land.

The blocks were chosen to be “drawn down” on as compensation after the landmark 2011 native title ruling on the island.

Details of the land use deal between the state and the island’s native title owners are confidential.

Originally published as Two-year deal allows Straddie Indigenous to develop 25 parcels of state land