MORE than 350 Quandamooka people have approved a settlement agreement, bringing the recognition of native title on 98 per cent of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) a step closer.
The agreement includes two Indigenous Land Use Agreements negotiated with the Queensland government that include Aboriginal Land Act freehold, joint management over the national park, land transfers, future eco-tourism sites, new Quandamooka ranger positions, jobs targets for Quandamooka identified positions, cultural heritage surveys and revenue from land assets.
The ILUA proposes renaming Moreton Island National Park to Gheebelum Coonungai National Park reflecting a Quandamooka Ngugi story of the lightning's playground.
The meeting also endorsed entering into an ILUA with Tangalooma Resort.
The terms clear the way for a Federal Court determination hearing on November 27.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said the Mulgumpin claim - under applicant Quandamooka Ngugi elder Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson - sought exclusive native title rights over small sections of unallocated state land on the island and non-exclusive rights over the rest.
The claim would not impact on freehold land or current leases with community groups and the majority of Moreton Island would remain national park, with 120 hectares added.
Mr Costello said that getting native title - following negotiations that started five years ago - would mean jobs, rangers caring for country and new positions in training, tourism and hospitality.
"QYAC wants to make it work for the Quandamooka people and to do that we have to unlock the land," Mr Costello said.
"We are doing that on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) and people will find that a strong Quandamooka community, supported by native title rights, is a win for everyone."
Mr Costello said people had come from across the country to attend the Mulgumpin authorisation meeting this week.
"It was a truly historic day in our Quandamooka journey towards self-determination," he said. "The attendance of over 380 registered people was the largest Quandamooka authorisation meeting ever and was the largest authorisation meeting in Queensland ever."
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