2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                                      Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018



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culture and tradition . The active participation of Indigenous Queenslanders in the planning and
development of regions throughout the State is a key theme under the planning implementation
framework allied to the Act. The State Planning Policy is the overarching planning document that sets
out the goals and priorities for development of the State.
The Federal Court of Australia recognises that Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders have rights
and interests to land and waters associated with their traditional laws and customs. Traditional Owners
have this connection to Country (including Land and Sea) recognised under Australian law through the
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Native Title Act 1993.
Local and traditional knowledge of the land and waterways throughout the NBR is an important adjunct
to the scientific knowledge of the ecosystems gathered to date. For Noosa’s key institutions, working
more closely with local Indigenous leaders in the future, and tapping into the vast knowledge of both
land and sea country is high on the priority list.
For example:
•       The NSC has just established links with Traditional Owner families following a successful native
        title claim by the Kabi Kabi First Nation.
•       The NBRF will follow this lead and seek to become involved in potential joint activities within the
        NBR with Council and the Kabi Kabi representatives.
•       The NBRF Board has provided funding for a research project to develop an Environmental and
        Cultural Trail using Indigeneous local knowledge.
•       NDL utlise long-term knowledge and operations in revegetation of natural bushland and riparian
        zones.
•       In 2018, NICA will work with Traditional Owners on seeking funding from the Queensland
        Government for Indigenous Rangers for the Noosa River and related catchment areas.

Kabi Kabi First Nation - Native Title Claim Registration
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have occupied Australia for millennia. As noted in the
2007 nomination report, there are many sites around the Noosa region that hold special significance for
Indigenous people, past and present. This Indigenous cultural heritage is unique, and requires ongoing
care and protection. The Queensland Government and the Noosa Shire Council each play a part in this
task, working closely with local indigenous groups to protect and enhance our understanding of their
history and culture.
In March 2017, the National Native Title Tribunal Ruling QUD280/2013 found that the Kabi Kabi First
Nation had the right to lodge a claim of about 11,700 square kilometres including Noosa and the rest of
the Sunshine Coast. Refer to Map 5 showing the traditional Indigenous cultural lands in Queensland
(next page). The decision means that the Kabi Kabi has the ‘right to negotiation, the right to oppose
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non-claimant applications, and certain other procedural rights while their claim is pending’. The ability
to negotiate with local developers about developments that may impact on native title gives local
Indigenous groups an important ‘say’ in the future of the NBR.
In light of this ruling, the NSC has begun regular discussions with a group of seven Indigenous families
representing Traditional Owners of the Noosa areas. In late 2017, the Mayor of Noosa and several
Councillors held an informal camp on the Noosa North Shore. The group chatted, fished and ate
together, symbolising the foundations of a future productive and ongoing relationship. Representatives
from the Kabi Kabi people have applied for State Government funding to introduce Indigenous Land and
Sea Rangers in the Noosa area. A school-based project funded in the Big Ideas Grants Round 2017-18
will establish a Bush Tucker garden and Outdoor Classroom for primary-school aged children and their
families.




60
     Shaping SEQ, 2017, p.24
61
     Ibid.p.25
62
     http://shareourpride.reconciliation.org.au/ (accessed 6/3/18)
63
     Noosa News, Business as usual as native title claim proceeds, 17/2/17



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