The Queensland government has been accused of “covering up” land transfers to Aboriginal groups.
In Toobeah, 400 kilometres southwest of Brisbane, the community has expressed concern that 95 per cent of the land is due to be transferred to the Bigambul Aboriginal Native Title Corporation.
Queensland’s Aboriginal Land Act allows the state to transfer land held in trust by traditional owners to local Aboriginal corporations.
This differs from native title as the land is transferred as freehold title, meaning the owners can develop or use it as they wish.
Federal LNP MP Keith Pitt said allowing the state to “simply hand over its land” to Aboriginal organisations was “a mistake” and the “wrong approach”.
“There are another 15 sites that, who knows for what reason, are being kept confidential,” the former resources minister told Sky News Australia on Monday night.
‘There are other places in other cities that are being directly impacted and nobody knows about it.
“This is just another cover-up by the Miles administration.”
In Toobeah (pictured), the community has expressed concern that 95 per cent of the land is due to be transferred to the Bigambul Aboriginal Native Title Corporation.
The Department of Resources has revealed the number of Queensland councils where local Aboriginal groups have lodged land transfer claims following a question in state parliament.
But the department did not say which municipalities were involved, citing the “privacy” of the groups that made the claims.
So far, more than six million hectares of state land previously held in trust for the benefit of traditional owners has been handed over to Aboriginal corporations across the state.
Private land cannot be transferred under the Aboriginal Lands Act, but the government can transfer unallocated state land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reserves, and national parks at Cape York and Moreton Island.
The Bigambul Aboriginal Native Title Corporation, which will take ownership of the Toobeah Reserve, said it is committed to “working alongside the community… to develop and enhance the site for the benefit of all”.
The corporation said on its website that it wants to take over the land for the “protection of cultural heritage” and to enable “environmental and economic development and prosperity” of Bigambul country by creating “regional eco-cultural tourism opportunities.”
Federal LNP MP Keith Pitt (pictured) said allowing the state to “simply hand over its land” to Aboriginal organisations was “a mistake” and the “wrong approach”.
The reserve represents less than one percent of the Toobeah “district” and is currently designated for roaming livestock and associated camps, the corporation said.
‘People have been riding mountain bikes and 4×4 vehicles on the property illegally and damaging the river banks and riparian vegetation (wetlands) over the years.
‘Bigambul plans to develop the site as an eco-cultural attraction for the city and region and extend visitor stays.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Premier Steven Miles’ office and the Bigambul Aboriginal Native Title Corporation for comment.
