Calls to end long-running native title battle which sees Burrum Heads residents ‘chased’ by some Butchulla traditional owners when they try to visit their idyllic local beach

Calls to end a long-running standoff between traditional owners and other residents have grown louder after property owners claimed they were being ‘driven’ from their local beach.

Some members of the Butchulla people have been locked in a tense battle with locals after they stopped them from entering Burrum Heads beach, near Hervey Bay, in south-east Queensland.

The battle, which has been going on for more than a year, has led to calls from indigenous groups to push for a ‘peaceful solution’ to the raging dispute.

The Butchulla people were granted native title to about 100,000 hectares on the Fraser Coast in 2019, about 50 kilometers from Burrum Heads.

About 17,000 hectares of that land is used exclusively by traditional owners.

However, a small portion of the land runs through a 20 meter strip next to the beach, which is opposite the homes of some local people who live in Burrum Heads.

Residents say they were ‘driven’ from the land as they tried to enter the area.

Part of the beach is surrounded by a low mesh fence, which extends into a beach parking lot, preventing local residents from accessing the land.

A small group of Butchulla people have been illegally settled on the land, according to the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC).

BNTAC general manager Veronica Bird said Courier mail that native title has not been given to the beach area.

“It’s about respect, being good neighbors so that we can all be able to enjoy this beautiful country that we love,” she said.

Ms Bird told the newspaper that the organization is committed to resolving the issue peacefully.

Part of the beach is surrounded by a low mesh fence (pictured), preventing Burrum Heads locals from accessing the beach

Member for Hinkler and federal MP Keith Pitt, whose electorate covers the disputed stretch of land, said the beach should not be considered part of native title given to traditional owners.

“The best solution is to take that small piece of land out of the native title agreement, that would solve a lot of problems,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt told Daily Mail Australia earlier that his office had been inundated with ‘concerned residents of Burrum Heads’ who ‘contacted my office about an area of ​​land under native title’.

“This has resulted in limited access to the beach and chasing older members off the beach,” he said.

“Every Australian is expected to comply with Australian laws and regulations, without exception.”

Federal MP Keith Pitt (pictured) said the disputed land should not be given native title protection, which would allow locals to access the space

However, Zogu said the move would not be appropriate because indigenous elders had fought for recognition of traditional lands.

“We want to be able to honor that legacy of our elders who didn’t get to see our successful domestic title claim come to fruition,” she said.

A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Resources said the Butchulla people had been granted their native title rights to parts of the Burrum Heads area in 2019.

“We are continuing to work with the Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and support their engagement with the community on land management,” the spokesperson said.