Published Wednesday, 10 December, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Tenure offer on Mona Mona Reserve
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has announced plans to create a Reserve for Cultural, Historical and Heritage Purposes at Mona Mona.
“The Bligh Government will work with the people of Mona Mona to preserve this land for their cultural, historical, heritage and conservation uses,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“As part of this commitment, we will actively seek to transfer part of the Mona Mona land to the trusteeship of the Mona Mona people,” she said.
“This will provide the people of Mona Mona with security of tenure for the very first time.
“Government departments including Communities, Housing, Health, Natural Resources and Water and the Environment Protection Agency will work with the Mona Mona people over the next five years to deliver.
“As part of the transfer strategy, a local incorporated body will need to be formed to enable the people of Mona Mona to meet their legal obligations under the Land Act 1994, and the Bligh Government will assist in this process.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said under no circumstances would the estimated 20-30 people living at Mona Mona be forcibly removed.
“Living conditions at Mona Mona are sub standard and we will continue to ask those choosing to live in the area to relocate to social housing in their preferred locations – whether it’s Kuranda, Mareeba or further away,” said the Minister.
The Bligh Government has also committed to working with the people of Mona Mona to create jobs and enterprise opportunities.
Some 1500 hectares of land will become national park or a reserve for conservation purposes.
“The expertise of the Environment Protection Agency will be put to work with the Mona Mona people to ensure this area is managed to conserve its natural and cultural values.”
The existing Mona Mona area was established as a Seventh Day Adventist Mission in 1913 and closed in the 1960s. Although Mona Mona is close to well-serviced communities of Kuranda and Mareeba, an estimated 20-40 people with a traditional or historical connection to the land choose to live on the land.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3235 4280
“The Bligh Government will work with the people of Mona Mona to preserve this land for their cultural, historical, heritage and conservation uses,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“As part of this commitment, we will actively seek to transfer part of the Mona Mona land to the trusteeship of the Mona Mona people,” she said.
“This will provide the people of Mona Mona with security of tenure for the very first time.
“Government departments including Communities, Housing, Health, Natural Resources and Water and the Environment Protection Agency will work with the Mona Mona people over the next five years to deliver.
“As part of the transfer strategy, a local incorporated body will need to be formed to enable the people of Mona Mona to meet their legal obligations under the Land Act 1994, and the Bligh Government will assist in this process.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said under no circumstances would the estimated 20-30 people living at Mona Mona be forcibly removed.
“Living conditions at Mona Mona are sub standard and we will continue to ask those choosing to live in the area to relocate to social housing in their preferred locations – whether it’s Kuranda, Mareeba or further away,” said the Minister.
The Bligh Government has also committed to working with the people of Mona Mona to create jobs and enterprise opportunities.
Some 1500 hectares of land will become national park or a reserve for conservation purposes.
“The expertise of the Environment Protection Agency will be put to work with the Mona Mona people to ensure this area is managed to conserve its natural and cultural values.”
The existing Mona Mona area was established as a Seventh Day Adventist Mission in 1913 and closed in the 1960s. Although Mona Mona is close to well-serviced communities of Kuranda and Mareeba, an estimated 20-40 people with a traditional or historical connection to the land choose to live on the land.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3235 4280