More than 360,000 hectares of Queensland’s Cape York returned to traditional owners

A special ceremony held today between Traditional Owners and the Queensland Government marked the handing back of more than 362,000 hectares of land on Australia’s Cape York Peninsula to the Gudang/ Yadhaykenu, Atambaya and Angkamuthi (Seven Rivers) peoples.  

Made up of 319,300 hectares of national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) (CYPAL) and 42,799 hectares of Aboriginal freehold land – equivalent to 676,000 football fields - it included land formerly known as Jardine River National Park, Denham Group National Park, part of Heathlands Reserve and Jardine River Reserve; and two offshore islands.

Queensland’s new Apudthama National Park (CYPAL) area represents the largest continuous area of heathlands on Cape York Peninsula and includes other diverse landscapes such as grasslands, perched lakes, open woodlands, cloud forests, wetlands and mangroves that connect with islands within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area.

The parks are home to unique plants and animals including the Cuscus, Jardine Painted Turtle and the northern most extent of the Southern Cassowary with the Yamarrinh Wachangan Islands (Denham Group) National Park (CYPAL) supporting turtle and sea bird nesting.

Gerhardt Pearson, Executive Director Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation notes “It’s simple. Generations of Bama from this area know this land is their birthright. Today Queensland will recognise these lands as Atambaya, Angkamuthi (Seven Rivers) and Gudang/ Yadhaykenu.”

Pearson said the agreements protect the rights of Gudang/ Yadhaykenu, Atambaya and Angkamuthi (Seven Rivers) peoples to continue caring for Country as they have for generations.

“This land handback will support Gudang/ Yadhaykenu, Atambaya and Angkamuthi (Seven Rivers) peoples to strengthen connection through ownership, protect their culture and share it with visitors to their Country,” added Pearson.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who last month launched the State’s Path to Treaty, said by returning land to Traditional Custodians, we can work together to conserve the significant natural and cultural treasures of the Cape.

“Our Path to Treaty is about finding a place where we can face up to our shared history and be truthful about all of it – good and bad – and build a future together where we value, trust, and respect each other,” the Premier said.

“Today marks another important step on that journey.”

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said many in the community had waited generations to have their land back, commenting “this is about land justice.It’s about supporting the ambitions and aspirations of First Nations communities.”

The land will be granted to the Ipima Ikaya Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC and the Atambaya Aboriginal Corporation on behalf of the Traditional Owners.

Local State Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said through this dealing the Native Title parties and government have now entered into an Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the grant of Aboriginal lands and dedication of the Apudthama National Park (CYPAL) and Yamarrinh Wachangan Islands (Denham Group) National Park (CYPAL).

The Queensland Government and the Gudang/ Yadhaykenu, Atambaya and Angkamuthi (Seven Rivers) peoples, represented by Ipima Ikaya Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, have also agreed to joint management arrangements over the two national parks (CYPAL).

“The history of First Nations communities is one that’s rich and diverse, and intrinsically linked to the land,” Lui said.

“Today’s ceremony leads the way for our communities to seize new opportunities and make sure their history that has been passed down for generations continues into the future.”

Image: Minister Scanlon and QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the handover ceremony involving the return of a vast area of Cape York to First Nations people