In response to our advocacy regarding the need for better engagement about the Cooloola Great Walk Project and Kabi Kabi First Nations People, we have received the following from the Minister for Environment:

The Queensland Government recognises and respects the independence of decision-making of the Kabi Kabi community on matters relating to management of their Traditional Country, including the Cooloola Project proposal. The Government also maintains that any discussions within the Kabi Kabi community are solely the business of that community.

The Government is committed to ensuring that any Cooloola Project proposal provides tangible benefits for the Kabi Kabi First Nations People, and positively contributes towards Kabi Kabi aspirations for management of their Traditional Country, in particular the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park. Any consideration of a final Cooloola Project proposal for approval by the State has, from the outset, been subject to free, prior and informed consent being given by the Kabi Kabi First Nations Traditional Owners.

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) and Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (DTIS) have been proactively consulting with the Kabi Kabi First Nations Traditional Owners on the Cooloola Project since 2018. A Kabi Kabi voice has been sought on all decision making on the project to date, including site selection, concept planning, on-ground surveys and community consultation. Input from the Kabi Kabi First Nations Traditional Owners has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in informing the State’s decision making on approval requirements for the Cooloola Project.

The Government understands that the Kabi Kabi applicant has undertaken substantial consultation with the broader Kabi Kabi community to ensure that their engagement with the State, on the Cooloola Project, is consistent with the views and interests of that community. The Kabi Kabi applicant has held several formal consultation events for the Kabi Kabi community at key Cooloola Project milestones, including:

  • a three-day apical ancestors visit on-country in November 2020, to allow members of the broader Kabi Kabi community to inspect proposed ecotourism sites
  • consultation forums held at Kilkivan, Nambour and Petrie in March 2022, which were open to all members of the Kabi Kabi community
  • a community meeting in October 2022 prior to consideration of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) and Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA) for the Cooloola Project.

At the behest of the Kabi Kabi applicant, DES and DTIS have provided support to the Kabi Kabi applicant to assist with coordinating consultation during restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to advise the Kabi Kabi community on technical matters such as preliminary environmental impact assessment and State approval requirements. Aside from this support, these events have been entirely undertaken independently by the Kabi Kabi First Nations applicant group.

The Kabi Kabi applicant’s community engagement culminated in an ILUA authorisation meeting held on 12 November 2022, at which the community voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting the ILUA and CHMA for the Cooloola Project. The ILUA authorisation process is governed by strict procedural requirements under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). The Government understands that lawyers acting for the Kabi Kabi applicant were present at the authorisation meeting to ensure these requirements were satisfied. The Cooloola Project ILUA is currently undergoing a three-month community public notification period, ending 15 May 2023, prior to its final registration.

It is our understanding that CABN are waiting for the ILUA registration to be finalised before progressing a formal proposal to the State. The State will then review the application as per the relevant guidelines.

The Cooloola Great Walk Project ILUA community public notification is available here.

While awaiting the completion of the ILUA process and a detailed proposal, we expect outcomes from the Cooloola Visitor Capacity Study from the Department mid-year and also consultation on the draft Cooloola Area Management Plan following that.

The Cooloola Great Walk project will also require Development Approvals from both Noosa and Gympie Regional Councils for the proposed cabin sites.

Recently, the Kabi Kabi Registered Native Title Claimants have provided responses to questions asked following a women’s gathering at Poona Lake. We have posted the answers in full to an earlier post at www.sandybolton.com/response-to-cooloola-great-walk-questions-april-2023

For those questioning any indigenous processes in relation to this proposed project, please read an earlier post at www.sandybolton.com/native-title-and-land-rights-a-summary-of-the-basics

Should you wish to contact the Minister for Environment, you can email the Hon Meaghan Scanlon via environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au and cc to our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au

Public submissions may be made to DES regarding any and all aspects of the Cooloola Great Walk 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).

We will continue to provide updates are more information becomes available.