Sand mining on Stradbroke Island will effectively cease by the end of 2019 after the Queensland Parliament pushed through legislation repealing another Newman government policy.
It's a return to Labor policy first brought in under former premier Anna Bligh's tenure but substantially changed when the LNP and Campbell Newman swept to power, extending the allowed period for mining until 2035.
Quandamooka elder Bob Anderson praised the Labor government for repealing the changes, delivering on an election commitment.
But Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche slammed the decision, saying it completed a "trifecta of pain" bestowed upon the state's resources sector by the government, following the so-called "Clive Palmer" laws and changes to laws controlling landholder objections to mines.
He echoed Opposition concerns the closure of the mine would cost jobs and damage the local economy.
But Environment Minister Steven Miles said the bill's passage marked a "new chapter" for the island.
The repeal came after Labor minister and Stradbroke Island Quandamooka woman Leeanne Enoch addressed the Parliament in her native language.
"Quandamooka is my home and also my ancestors' from long ago," she translated for the house.
"Gooris from Quandamooka are strong people. Our country is also strong.
"So let us all welcome the good spirits here where we talk, think and understand."
She went on to say her people had varying views on the issue but stood as one family with more than 3000 generations before them.
"Much of the mining lease, for instance, covers traditional places of great cultural significance, places that traditional owners, my family, representing thousands of generations, do not have access to, cannot teach children about, cannot pass on to the next generation," she said.
"That is why it is important to understand that it is time for a new economy for North Stradbroke Island (known as Minjerribah in the local language).
"That is why the transition plan in particular is one of the most generous that we have ever seen from the Queensland government, one that will make a difference in terms of what kind of economy will go forward but at the same time allow traditional owners the right to fulfil their own responsibilities that they have carried for thousands of generations."
But the Opposition argued the transition strategy put in place to help the island cope with the closure of the mine was not generous enough.
QRC's Mr Roche said it was a "recipe for a social and economic disaster".
"The parliament has backed the government's bill to close sand mining operations with the loss of up to 153 full time jobs in Sibelco's mineral sands business," he said.
"There will also be a severe flow-on effect with hundreds more contractors and businesses that rely on the Sibelco mine on the island also greatly impacted.
A 2011 native title win made the Quandamooka people part of a joint management process for the island.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation CEO Cameron Costello said the group looked forward to turning the island, known as Minjerribah in the local language, into a global eco-tourism destination.
"To have the voice of Indigenous communities restored on National Sorry Day is very significant," Mr Costello said, in a government statement.
"The passing of the Bill sends a clear message to the nation that native title agreements are to be respected and honoured."
Sibelco's mining lease for its large Enterprise mine will end in 2019, with rehabilitation to continue beyond that.
The company's much smaller Vance mine, which is not currently extracting sand, will retain the already bestowed right to operate until 2025.
- with AAP
