The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has marked the 10th anniversary of its formal partnership with the Quandamooka People to jointly manage the protected areas of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Teerk Roo Ra (Peel Island).
Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon said Minjerribah’s Naree Budjong Djara National Park was the first outside Cape York Peninsula to be jointly managed.
“Naree Budjong Djara means ‘My Mother Earth’ to the Quandamooka people, and their connection to Minjerribah dates back thousands of years and remains as strong today,” Ms Scanlon said.
“In 2011 the Quandamooka People were recognised as native title holders for the land and waters on, and surrounding, Minjerribah and Teerk Roo Ra,” she said.
Ms Scanlon said since that time, the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and the QPWS had formed a strong and successful partnership that protected the islands’ biodiversity and rich cultural heritage for future generations.
“QYAC and QPWS are committed to jointly protecting the lands and culture of Minjerribah and Teerk Roo Ra, and continue to work together to manage visitation and to identify new culturally-appropriate tourism opportunities,” she said.
“In 2020 QPWS and QYAC developed a landmark national parks management plan — Queensland’s first jointly-developed national park management plan — that incorporated traditional knowledge and set out the key priorities for the conservation and management of Minjerribah’s protected areas.”
Ms Scanlon said more than 25 Quandamooka rangers were working on country conducting fire and pest management activities, cultural site protection and developing new visitor opportunities on the island.
