Land handover builds bright future on K’gari Fraser Island
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Traditional Owners on Fraser Island now have freehold title to their native title land in the island’s World Heritage area.
The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation took custody of about 22 hectares of land in an historic handover ceremony at Central Station yesterday.
Butchulla woman, Chantel Van Wamelen, said the land transfer would revitalise cultural practices on country.
“We want to build ranger bases so our mob can better protect our land.
“We’re also hoping to run women’s and men’s camps to help Butchulla people connect with country.”
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said land transfers could have a significant role in reconciliation in Queensland.
“I am honoured to return this site to its rightful owners. Although this land transfer will not rectify past injustices, I hope it can provide future benefit to the Butchulla people.”
The Butchulla people have struggled since the early 1970s to have their land rights recognised in order to protect their country and sacred sites from sand mining and other environmental threats.
The area was added to the World Heritage List in 1992, and the Federal Court granted Native Title in an on-country sitting in 2014.
The Butchulla people then brought a compensation claim against the Queensland Government that became a test case for Indigenous groups seeking native title compensation.
The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation now holds inalienable freehold title to two sites on the island. Under Queensland law, the land cannot be sold and is held forever for future generations.
