The Department of Environment and Science (DES) have provided the following information in relation to the Cooloola Great Walk and the Kabi Kabi First Nations Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group.
“The State is aware that the Kabi Kabi First Nations Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group held an Authorisation Meeting on Saturday 12 November 2022.
The State has been informed that, at the Authorisation Meeting, the Kabi Kabi First Nation Traditional Owners Claim Group authorised the Applicant to sign the Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
However, the vote and discussion between members of the Kabi Kabi First Nation Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group leading up to the vote, are private matters for the members of the Claim Group and no State representatives were present during those parts of the Authorisation Meeting.
The State is of the understanding that the ILUA authorisation process is subject to strict procedural requirements under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and that lawyers acting for the Kabi Kabi First Nation Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group were present on the day of the meeting to assist in ensuring those requirements were satisfied.”
As the meeting referenced was a private meeting for Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners Claim Group members, any information regarding the meeting itself or the vote can only come from their representatives.
Further general information regarding the Cooloola Great Walk project is available at https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/management/ecotourism/trails-program#cooloola_great_walk
For advocacy with the Minister for Environment’s office regarding this project or other environmental concerns within Queensland, please email environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Public submissions may be made to DES regarding any and all aspects of the Cooloola Project, associated State approvals, and lease conditions (including an appropriate lease term). Any submissions received will be considered as part of its assessment should an application for the Cooloola Project be made by the proponent, and as part of the Chief Executive’s decision-making process should the project progress to final approval. Submissions can be made to DES at any time via this email (ecofacilities@des.qld.gov.au).