Traditional owners continue island land claim battle

By PETER ROWE

Traditional owners are set to continue their fight with the Queensland government over a Native Title claim for Great Keppell-Woppa Island.

The Woppaburra people were recognised in 2021 as the holders of 570sq/km of land and sea over Great Keppel-Woppa Island but the new claim relates to the remainder of the island that covers a resort that was abandoned in 2008.

Much of the site, run by Tower Holdings, was demolished in 2018 and the lease was cancelled with over $900,000 still owned in rent.

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development had declared the Native Tile claim had been ruled ‘extinguished’ as part of a previous ruling, but Woppaburra Saltwater Aboriginal Corporation chairman Fred Saunders said the Native Title claim was still live.

“We are protective of our sacred areas and will maintain our cultural responsibilities, but the Woppaburra people are not about restriction, anti-development and locking up lands,” he said.

“We are about sustainable environmental approaches to safeguard the islands beauty to make it an attractive destination for all visitors.”

A $30 million tourism revival plan, set up by the previous Labor government, could still go ahead, locals insist.

The new LNP government has said the site has been earmarked for redevelopment and will fight to keep it as Crown land.