Land in Mount Cook National Park has been handed back to traditional owners. Photos: Supplied.
The Bubu Nubuun Aboriginal Corporation is exploring opportunities after almost 3000 hectares of Cape York land were handed back to traditional owners.
Director Betty Woibo said the corporation was honoured to have ownership of the 2920 hectares recognised.
“This is a significant step towards self-determination and reconciliation and we look forward to working in partnership with the state to care for Country,” she said.
“We hope to create economic opportunities for our people and ensure its protection for future generations.”
The transfer includes land from Endeavour River National Park, Endeavour River Resources Reserve, Mount Cook National Park, Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park, and some unallocated state land.
Land in the Endeavour River National Park has been handed back.
It’s expected the return of the jointly managed Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) will help boost the number of tourists visiting Waymbuurr (Mount Cook) National Park, according to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
The Aboriginal Land and national park CYPAL will be owned by Bubu Nubuun Aboriginal Corporation and the national park CYPAL will be jointly managed with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) as a result of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
QPWS deputy director-general Ben Klaassen said the agreement was historic and national park visitation would grow.
“The spectacular landscape of the Finch Bay headland, next to the beach and mountains, is an important addition to the national park,” he said.
“The transfer will allow us to upgrade the carpark, formalise the entry to the Waymbuurr Lookout walking track and provide a defined starting point for visitors taking the rugged track to the mountain top.
“The addition of land into Waalmbaal Birri (Endeavour River) National Park (CYPAL) will help protect the near-threatened Cooktown fan palm and the vulnerable Endeavour River litter-skink.
The transfer includes land in Mount Cook National Park.
“This Country contains cultural sites of significant importance to the traditional owners, it supports rare and threatened species, and we will work in partnership with the Bubu Nubuun Aboriginal Corporation on potential economic opportunities through increased tourism.”
The handback of the land, about 30 square kilometres, includes:
- 2157.89 ha of Waalmbaal Birri (Endeavour River) National Park (CYPAL)
- 716.35 ha of Waymbuurr (Mount Cook) National Park (CYPAL)
- 45.99 ha of Keatings Lagoon National Park in two stages as part of a future national park (CYPAL) and as a commitment in the Indigenous Management Agreement
- The declaration of 4.12 hectares of Gungaarr Nature Refuge
- Granting 72 hectares of Aboriginal freehold land.
Original Article published by Luke Mortimer on Cape York Weekly.
