NORTH Stradbroke Island’s Aboriginal representatives are steaming ahead with plans for a whale watching centre at Point Lookout despite community opposition.
The Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation has appointed Cox Architects and Articulous consultants for the Mooloomba (Point Lookout) whale interpretive facility.
Some Stradbroke residents have called for the project to be stopped while locals are consulted, especially regarding fears that it will be too intrusive on the headland.
A petition was tabled at the last sitting of Parliament, with 16,500 signatures asking for the venture to be reconsidered.
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson – who tabled the petition – called on the government to consult with all residents.
He said community and indigenous leaders claimed that the government’s North Stradbroke Island economic transition process was not inclusive and not transparent.
“Recycled lead minister for the economic transition Kate Jones needs to listen to all locals, not just Labor’s selected friends,” he said.
“Any development in the future should have community approval for the type and scale and must ensure free access for all to the headlands.”
A spokesperson for Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the government was dealing with QYAC, the Quandamooka people’s only official representative body.
QYAC chief executive Cameron Costello said today that Cox was a world class firm that would investigate appropriate designs for the site which was the headland’s former tennis court.
Articulous would conduct the initial consultation from this week through to mid December, with a concept design developed for further consultation early next year.
Articulous Communications was the company hired by Redland City Council as part of negotiations with Raby Bay residents over canal charges.
“This is a significant step in delivering the vision of Mooloomba being a global whale conservation, research and education hub,” Mr Costello said.
“The proposed site is in line with existing heritage management plans and the structure, which will have a minimal footprint and will be culturally sensitive, will showcase the skeleton of an adult humpback whale currently housed by the Queensland Museum for traditional owners.
“When the whale made the island its final resting place, the traditional owners agreed that a site should be dedicated to the yalingbilla and the facility will underscore the islands connection to these magnificent creatures.
“It will help visitors, researchers and students unobtrusively watch, enjoy and better understand the thousands of majestic marine leviathans which migrate through and past Quandamooka country annually.”
Mr Costello said the facility would reflect the area’s natural beauty and cultural significance.
Training Minister Shannon Fentiman said the project would help to diversify the local economy.
“We’re working closely with QYAC to deliver projects that will create new jobs for locals. That’s what the government’s North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy (from sand mining) is all about,” she said.
“Projects like the whale interpretive centre will help to lure more tourists to the island.”
One Mile Residents Aboriginal Corporation chairman Dale Ruska said there should be a moratorium on the project.
He said the North Stradbroke Island economic transition process had been non-inclusive and non-transparent.
