LAND HANDED BACK TO TRADITIONAL OWNERS AND NATIONAL PARK CREATED

The Queensland Government and the Melsonby Aboriginal people today signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) for the Melsonby area on Cape York Peninsula, north-west of Cooktown.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr in Cooktown signed the ILUA on behalf of the Queensland Government and handed over the deeds that established Aboriginal freehold land of 10710ha to the Melsonby (Gaarraay) Land Trust.

“This is a historic occasion where we are recognising the natural and cultural conservation values of this special part of Cape York, and a shared commitment to their protection,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“We are acknowledging past Indigenous connection to the land and making a positive move towards placing the ownership and management of a special part of Cape York in the hands of Aboriginal people.

“The traditional owners have agreed to part of the Aboriginal freehold land also being declared a protected area, which will be called the Melsonby (Gaarraay) Nature Refuge, and have signed a conservation agreement to protect the significant natural and cultural values”.

Ms Nelson-Carr said that as part of the agreement, the 8990ha Melsonby (Gaarraay) National Park is being created.

“QueenslandParks and Wildlife Service will support the Melsonby people to manage the new protected area. The aim is consistent management extending across the national park and Aboriginal land.

“This will be especially vital in delivering integrated fire management, weed and feral animal control and cultural heritage site protection.

“This agreement is indeed symbolic of the shared commitment of all the parties and is a tangible outcome to the strong relationship that was forged in the Cape York Heads of Agreement about nine years ago to achieve tenure resolution through negotiation and respect, not litigation.”

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002