A newly elected state government has revealed it will continue the fight against a native title claim over a famous island tourist destination.
David Crisafulli’s LNP Queensland government, which was elected in October, has announced it will fight the latest native title claim over Great Keppel-Woppa Island, which was also opposed by his Labor predecessor in office.
The Woppaburra people have lodged a claim for exclusive use of the 9 square kilometer island, including the former resort and airstrip, which they were denied because they were privately leased.
However, the complex site was abandoned by Tower Holdings in 2008 and its works were left to deteriorate until they were demolished in 2018 under the previous Labor government, which canceled the lease after resigning. nearly $900,000 in unpaid rent.
Having been recognized in 2021 as native title holders of 570 sq m/km of land and sea on Great Keppel-Woppa Island, the traditional owners submitted a second native claim that includes the resort.
However, the LNP government said the complex site has been earmarked for redevelopment and it will fight to keep it as Crown land.
A spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development said Native Tile’s claim “has already been ruled to have extinguished native title as part of a previous ruling”.
“The Queensland Government will continue to contest the defunct areas claim,” they told the courier mail.
“Great Keppel Island has significant tourism potential and employment and business opportunities, however the immediate priority is to make the island safe.”
The Queensland government has said it will fight the claim for an extension of native title over Great Keppel-Woppa Island.
A closed resort remained leased to former operator Tower Holdings until it returned to the Queensland government last year.
Fred Saunders, chairman of Woppaburra Saltwater Aboriginal Corporation, said earlier this year the native title claim had been motivated by concerns about the environmental impacts the decaying complex was creating.
He said the $30 million tourism revival plan committed to the island by the previous Labor government would not be affected by the claim.
“We protect our sacred areas and will uphold our cultural responsibilities, but Woppaburra people are not about restricting, opposing development and locking up land,” he said.
“We are committed to sustainable environmental approaches to safeguard the beauty of the islands and make them an attractive destination for all visitors.”
The government spokesman said cleanup of the site will begin in the new year.
As part of its rejuvenation, Pensar Construction Group was awarded an $8.6 million city contract to rebuild the island’s aging wastewater treatment plant.