2018-07-10 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Draft Noosa River Plan

3.4
Engagement with Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Traditional Owners
The Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) First Nation
People are the Traditional Owners and Native
Title Applicants for the Noosa Shire.

A recommendation of the Noosa River
Community Jury was for Council to establish
an effective duty of care and policy regarding
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and engagement
with Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) representatives
on all aspects of river management.

In May 2017 Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) family
representatives were invited to attend an
informal workshop with Council to get
to know each other, help build respectful
relationships and discuss involvement in river management.

At this initial meeting, Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) expressed their preference for all engagement activities to
be conducted through the Native Title Applicants, their interest in protecting cultural heritage, and being
involved in the planned oyster reef restoration in the estuary.

In July 2017, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Native Title Applicants and families were invited to the Noosa
North Shore for a camping weekend with Noosa Councillors and key staff. This get together was held at a
time when traditionally many Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people congregated on the North Shore beach during
winter fish runs prior to European settlement. Here discussions focused on:
   •	Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in the catchment through art, interpretation and
      education.
   •   Protection of cultural sites and values.
   •   Indigenous Land & Sea Ranger Program for Noosa.
   •   Involvement in policy and programs.

The Noosa Heritage Reference Group invited a Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) representative to be part of this
group, which provides recommendations to Council regarding investment of the Shire’s Heritage Levy funds.
A Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) led proposal to identify and map Aboriginal Cultural Heritage throughout the
catchment is now underway.

The Indigenous Land & Sea Ranger Program is managed by the Department of Environment and Heritage
Protection (EHP) with rangers employed through local indigenous host organisations and funding provided
by the Queensland Government.

Land and Sea Rangers have been contracted to work in 17 regional and remote communities across
Queensland and undertake a wide range of environmental restoration activities, community education and
visitor management (e.g. eco-tourism). This program continues to successfully deliver on planned activities
and program outcomes, with clear evidence these activities lead to wider environmental, social, cultural and
economic benefits.

The initiatives listed above create opportunities for the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) to work on country and
sustain their cultural and spiritual obligations. For others, these endeavours have the potential to enrich
further understanding of the Aboriginal cultural significance of the Noosa River catchment.

                                                                                    Noosa River Plan l Page 51