STRADBROKE residents fear for the future of the island as sand mining operations draw to a close.
It comes as mining giant Sibelco and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation set their sights on rehabilitating nearly 10,000 hectares of disturbed land.
Mine workers will turn their attentions from mineral extraction to land rehabilitation on December 31
It comes after more than 6000 hectares of land were signed over to its traditional owners on Thursday.
Sibelco Australia chief executive Tom Cutbush said in November about 100 people were still employed in Sibelco's Mineral Sand operations, some based on the island and others at its Pinkenba processing facility.
"Nearly 30 (workers) will finish at the end of mining operations," Mr Cutbush said.
"The Sibelco workforce will then logically reduce over time as Sibelco's rehabilitation obligations are progressively fulfilled."
Tourism minister Kate Jones said seven of the 23 projects outlined in the economic transition strategy had been completed and another 10 were scheduled to be completed in 2020. The rest were on track to be finished by the end of 2021.
More than 60 jobs would be supported by three priority construction projects, to kick off next year.
"The Queensland government is investing $2.8 million to transform the old secondary school campus into a leading centre for learning that will deliver training in hospitality, event management, business and digital engagement, marine and land management and rehabilitation among other courses," Ms Jones said.
"Minjerribah Ganaba is already one of the economic transition success stories with more than 3276 training hours delivered since its launch in late 2018.
"One of the students was a former mine worker who has now retrained for an exciting future in business."
She said the re-developed facility would be completed in mid-2020.
A Quandamooka art museum and performance institute is also earmarked for construction next year, as well as the controversial Yalingbila Bibula (whale on the hill) project.
But Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said it was a far cry from 400 eco-tourism jobs Anna Bligh had previously promised.
"The end of sand mining is fast approaching and there's no plan, strategy or direction for Straddie," he said.
"To make matters worse, Labor slugs a new tax for motorists on Flinders and Main Beach.
"The state government talks about a transition from sand mining but continue to put every hurdle in front of my community to allow this to occur.
"There needs to be a plan for all North Stradbroke Island people that includes infrastructure investment, like the redevelopment of the tourism gateway of Dunwich Harbour, not just a series of studies and small projects."
Mr Robinson and some residents also criticised a lack of consultation around the strategy, a claim which head of QYAC Cameron Costello denied.
At a Dunwich protest on Thursday, residents also expressed concerns about the impacts that increased tourism was already having on Straddie's natural environment, especially landmarks of significance to the Quandamooka people.
Mr Cutbush said protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage would be critical during rehabilitation.
"Rehabilitation activities to be conducted by Sibelco include contouring (and) reshaping of the constructed landform, placement of previously stockpiled topsoil onto the re-profiled dunes and revegetation using appropriate plant species."