A PUBLIC hearing is set to be held at Cleveland tomorrow about a state government bill to facilitate joint management of Moreton Island between the state government and the land's traditional owners.
The meeting will be held in the Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland from 9.20am.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman introduced the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation (Indigenous Joint Management Moreton Island) Amendment Bill last month.
The bill amends three existing acts to facilitate joint management arrangements on Moreton Island, similar to those in place on North Stradbroke Island.
It has been referred to the state Development, Tourism, Innovation and Manufacturing Committee.
Stakeholders including QYAC, local businesses and community associations will appear before the committee at tomorrow's hearing.
In November last year the Federal Court of Australia made a native title consent determination, formally recognising the Quandamooka as traditional owners of the island.
An agreement was made as part of that process that the state government and Quandamooka people would work towards joint management of protected areas on Moreton Island.
The primary objective of the Bill is to provide for the joint management of protected areas on Moreton Island by the state and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation.
In parliament last month, Ms Fentiman said the transition to joint management had already begun, with responsibility for camping and vehicle permits transferred from the Environment Department to QYAC.
She said amendments would allow the Quandamooka community to be more involved in tourism on the island, and would also ensure consultation with QYAC on permit applications on the island.
"Funding provided by the state for joint management will allow QYAC to employ six full-time staff and a number of rangers on a project basis," she said.
"This will provide an opportunity for traditional skills and knowledge to be incorporated into the management of protected areas on Mulgumpin and the recording of Aboriginal cultural sites and values to provide for the further protection of areas of high cultural and spiritual significance. "
The committee is due to table its report on August 28.
