Noosa Council signs landmark Kabi Kabi Commitment following Native Title win

The Noosa Council has signed a landmark commitment to include traditional owners in more policy development and local government decisions. What do you think? Do you support the decision? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Kabi Kabi people celebrating after the native title ruling, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Noosa Council has signed a landmark commitment to include traditional owners in more policy development and local government decisions, following the Kabi Kabi peoples’ Native Title win earlier this year.

At the council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday councillors unanimously voted to adopt and sign the Kabi Kabi Commitment, put together by the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation.

The commitment, which is the first of its kind in Queensland, was signed alongside seven of the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation’s board members in a moving ceremony.

According to the report submitted to the council, the “transformative potential” of the commitment with the Kabi Kabi people will mean the traditional owners of Noosa have the ability to co-manage the region and influence the future actions of the council.

The report stated the recent Native Title Determination, handed down in the Federal Court in June, meant the council had a duty to support the Kabi Kabi people.

“With the recent Native Title Determination, Kabi Kabi now have recognised rights and interests to Country that come from their traditional laws and customs,” the report stated.

“This imparts a duty to recognise and support Kabi Kabi Peoples, Country and culture, as the First Nation and First Peoples of Noosa.”

The report stated the principles of the commitment would be embedded into the plans and actions of the council in the future.

“By supporting the “Kabi Kabi Commitment” council commits to embedding its principles into future council plans and strategies and works and actions of council,” the report stated.

The input from the traditional owners would be applied to decisions regarding community development, arts and culture, environmental management, waste management, land use planning, sustainability, fire management and climate change resilience.

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According to the report the commitment will strengthen relationships with First Nations communities and the region’s sustainability.

“Noosa Council’s support of this Commitment is a transformative action that can advance multiple council plans and strategies, strengthen our partnership with Kabi Kabi, and bolster council’s sustainability principles and corporate plan commitments to improved outcomes for First Nations communities,” the report stated.

Originally published as Noosa Council signs landmark Kabi Kabi Commitment following Native Title win