One of Australia’s most famous tropical islands has turned into a battleground over a Native Title claim… now there’s been a major development
A recently elected state government has revealed it will continue the fight against a Native Title claim over a famous island tourist destination.
The LNP Queensland government of David Crisafulli, elected in October, has announced it will fight the latest claim of Native Title on Great Keppel-Woppa Island, which was also opposed by its Labor predecessor in office.
Woppaburra residents have filed a claim for exclusive use of the 9 square kilometer island, including the former resort site and airstrip, which they were denied because they were privately rented.
However, the resort site was abandoned by Tower Holdings in 2008 and the works remained in disrepair until they were demolished in 2018 under the former Labor government, which terminated the lease after relinquishing the lease. nearly $900,000 in unpaid rent.
Having already been recognized in 2021 as the native title holders of 570 square kilometers of land and sea over Great Keppel-Woppa Island, the traditional owners applied a second indigenous claim encompassing the resort.
However, the LNP government said the resort is earmarked for redevelopment and will fight to keep it as Crown land.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development said Native Tile’s claim “has already been ruled to vacate native title as part of a previous ruling.”
“The Queensland Government will continue to dispute the claim regarding the extinct areas,” they told the BBC Courier mail.
‘Great Keppel Island has significant tourism potential and employment and business opportunities, but the immediate priority is to make the island safe.’
Queensland government says it will challenge claim for extension of Native Title over Great Keppel-Woppa Island
A closed resort site remained leased to former operator Tower Holdings until it returned to the Queensland Government last year
Woppaburra Saltwater Aboriginal Corporation chairman Fred Saunders said earlier this year that the Native Title claim was prompted by concerns about the environmental impact caused by the decaying resort.
He said the $30 million tourism revival plan pledged for the island by the previous Labor government would not be affected by the claim.
“We protect our sacred lands and will maintain our cultural responsibilities, but the Woppaburra people are not about mitigation, anti-development and land enclosure,” he said.
“We are committed to sustainable environmental approaches to protect the beauty of the island and make it an attractive destination for all visitors.”
The government spokesman said work to clean up the site would begin in the new year.
As part of the rejuvenation, Pensar Construction Group has been awarded an $8.6 million municipal contract to reconstruct the island’s aging sewage treatment plant.