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Protected areas and native title

extract from Priority Environmental Policies Queensland 2001-2004
produced for the Queensland Election 2001

Policy position

• Adopt a broad policy view of Native Title and other indigenous rights and interests (including cultural rights and interests) that ensures traditional owners are recognised as partners with the Government in protected areas and are materially supported in negotiations with the Government.

• Ensure that a comprehensive framework for indigenous rights and interests in protected areas is in place covering new dedications of protected areas, previous valid dedications, conservation objectives for Aboriginal land, and areas of previous extinguishment with a significant cultural interest. Adopt the working title of 'Natural and Indigenous Cultural Protected Areas' for this comprehensive framework.

• Frame stand-alone legislation for a 'Natural and Indigenous Cultural Protected Areas' system, with complementary amendments to the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Aboriginal Land Act 1991.

• Formally establish Native Title and other indigenous rights and interests with respect to previous valid dedications of protected areas, such as national parks, in the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

• Adequately fund the development of a 'Natural and Indigenous Cultural Protected Areas' system over the next five years, including funds to immediately support tenure resolution, to develop appropriate management models, and to further Indigenous Land Use Agreements.

• Provide a significant increase to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service budget to meet the exigency of native title and to address the pre-existing under-resourcing of the protected area system.

• Provide financial support to Queensland Environment Groups to allow further information and communication about protected areas with respect to native title and other indigenous issues.

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Agreed - February 2001 - by

• Queensland Conservation Council

• Cairns and Far North Environment Centre

• North Queensland Conservation Council

• Mackay Conservation Group

• Capricorn Conservation Council

• Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council

• Sunshine Coast Environment Council

• Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council

• Toowoomba and Region Environment Council

• The Wilderness Society (Qld)

• National Parks Association of Queensland

• Australian Rainforest Conservation Society

• Australian Marine Conservation Society

• Australian Conservation Foundation

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Key points

• Recognise traditional owners as partners with the Government in protected areas

• Materially support TOs in negotiations with the Government

• Put in place a comprehensive framework for indigenous rights and interests in protected areas covering
  ~ new dedications of protected areas,
  ~ previous valid dedications,
  ~ conservation objectives for Aboriginal land, and
  ~ areas of previous extinguishment with a significant cultural interest

• Frame stand-alone legislation for a 'Natural and Indigenous Cultural Protected Areas' system

• Pass complementary amendments to the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Aboriginal Land Act 1991

• Formally establish Native Title and other indigenous rights and interests with respect to previous valid dedications

• Adequately fund the development of a 'Natural and Indigenous Cultural Protected Areas' system

• Support tenure resolution processes immediately

• Develop appropriate management models

• Further Indigenous Land Use Agreements

• Significantly increase the QPWS budget to meet the exigency of native title

• Address the pre-existing under-resourcing of the protected area system

• Provide financial support to Queensland Environment Groups to further information and communication

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