PREMIER AND EASTERN KUKU YALANJI PEOPLE CELEBRATE LAND AGREEMENT.
Published Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 at 11:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Premier Peter Beattie today joined the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in Wujal Wujal to celebrate the most significant land agreement ever made in Queensland.
15 Indigenous Land Use Agreements have been reached covering some 230,000 hectares of land in the Cape York region.
The long and complex negotiations have concluded with the agreements which clearly define the traditional ownership of some of the most environmentally important country in the world.
“Today is a significant milestone in Queensland’s history with the signing of the agreements which acknowledge the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people’s traditional ownership,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Yalanji have long been the protectors of one of the most precious and beautiful regions of Queensland.
“Today their custodianship of the land is being formally recognised.
“I am also proud to announce that we will be adding an addition 79,000 hectares of spectacular and environmentally important land to national parks in the region.
“The negotiations have been long – and the issues have been complex – but goodwill and determination has been demonstrated by all involved. I want to thank everyone involved in the process including the Cape York Land Council and the Wujal Wujal, Cook and Douglas Shire Councils.
“These agreements cover the original Yalanji native title claim, but also a wider area that takes in the Daintree, Cape Tribulation, Cedar Bay and Black Mountain National Parks.
“This land has been described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
“The restoration of the traditional owners’ right to own and be the custodians and managers of their traditional country will protect the significant cultural and environmental aspects of the area.
“The agreement also includes 64,000 hectares of land as new Aboriginal freehold, the most secure form of freehold that Queensland has,” Mr Beattie said.
There will be no change in people’s ability to visit and enjoy national parks in the region as a result of today’s agreement.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the land being added to the national parks estate had significant biodiversity and was home to the endangered Southern Cassowary and the rare Bennetts Tree Kangaroo.
“This is an excellent example of the state government and traditional owners working together for tangible results," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The agreement has proven that with good will you can negotiate great outcomes for both parties without costly and time consuming legal proceedings.
“This is also a significant win for the environment through the creation of large new areas of national park and aboriginal land managed for conservation.
“It also provides aboriginal people with certainty over the lands which will allow them to generate jobs and economic benefits for their community.”
The agreements mean the Yalanji people will work co-operatively with QPWS staff on the day-to-day management of the parks.
Work is already underway to develop practical guidelines that spell out how native title rights and interests will be implemented. Members of the working groups include traditional owners and QPWS staff.
The Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Warren Pitt acknowledged the important role the Eastern Kuku Yalanji elders had played in negotiating the agreements.
“In particular I want to pay tribute to the five applicants in the native title claim, Agnes Walker, Eileen Walker, Hazel Douglas, John Walker Junior and Peter Fischer”, Mr Pitt said.
“Once the Federal Court has granted registration and formal recognition of the agreements, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji will be assured of their rightful place in the management and care of their traditional country.
“This will ensure current and future generations of Queenslanders can enjoy the outstanding environmental and cultural significance of this unique region for many years to come,” the Minister said.
The member for Cook, Jason O’Brien said that now that agreement had been reached it was an enormous opportunity for the traditional owners to plan for the future.
“These agreements provide an unparalleled opportunity for the Yulanji people to build a prosperous future for the next generation.
“I look forward to working with the community to maximise the jobs and business opportunities that this historic agreement will provide,” Mr O’Brien said.
Wednesday April 11, 2007
For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
15 Indigenous Land Use Agreements have been reached covering some 230,000 hectares of land in the Cape York region.
The long and complex negotiations have concluded with the agreements which clearly define the traditional ownership of some of the most environmentally important country in the world.
“Today is a significant milestone in Queensland’s history with the signing of the agreements which acknowledge the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people’s traditional ownership,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Yalanji have long been the protectors of one of the most precious and beautiful regions of Queensland.
“Today their custodianship of the land is being formally recognised.
“I am also proud to announce that we will be adding an addition 79,000 hectares of spectacular and environmentally important land to national parks in the region.
“The negotiations have been long – and the issues have been complex – but goodwill and determination has been demonstrated by all involved. I want to thank everyone involved in the process including the Cape York Land Council and the Wujal Wujal, Cook and Douglas Shire Councils.
“These agreements cover the original Yalanji native title claim, but also a wider area that takes in the Daintree, Cape Tribulation, Cedar Bay and Black Mountain National Parks.
“This land has been described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
“The restoration of the traditional owners’ right to own and be the custodians and managers of their traditional country will protect the significant cultural and environmental aspects of the area.
“The agreement also includes 64,000 hectares of land as new Aboriginal freehold, the most secure form of freehold that Queensland has,” Mr Beattie said.
There will be no change in people’s ability to visit and enjoy national parks in the region as a result of today’s agreement.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the land being added to the national parks estate had significant biodiversity and was home to the endangered Southern Cassowary and the rare Bennetts Tree Kangaroo.
“This is an excellent example of the state government and traditional owners working together for tangible results," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The agreement has proven that with good will you can negotiate great outcomes for both parties without costly and time consuming legal proceedings.
“This is also a significant win for the environment through the creation of large new areas of national park and aboriginal land managed for conservation.
“It also provides aboriginal people with certainty over the lands which will allow them to generate jobs and economic benefits for their community.”
The agreements mean the Yalanji people will work co-operatively with QPWS staff on the day-to-day management of the parks.
Work is already underway to develop practical guidelines that spell out how native title rights and interests will be implemented. Members of the working groups include traditional owners and QPWS staff.
The Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Warren Pitt acknowledged the important role the Eastern Kuku Yalanji elders had played in negotiating the agreements.
“In particular I want to pay tribute to the five applicants in the native title claim, Agnes Walker, Eileen Walker, Hazel Douglas, John Walker Junior and Peter Fischer”, Mr Pitt said.
“Once the Federal Court has granted registration and formal recognition of the agreements, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji will be assured of their rightful place in the management and care of their traditional country.
“This will ensure current and future generations of Queenslanders can enjoy the outstanding environmental and cultural significance of this unique region for many years to come,” the Minister said.
The member for Cook, Jason O’Brien said that now that agreement had been reached it was an enormous opportunity for the traditional owners to plan for the future.
“These agreements provide an unparalleled opportunity for the Yulanji people to build a prosperous future for the next generation.
“I look forward to working with the community to maximise the jobs and business opportunities that this historic agreement will provide,” Mr O’Brien said.
Wednesday April 11, 2007
For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500