About 20,000 years ago people settled in what is now the Moreton Bay region of Queensland and on North Stradbroke Island. The descendants of those people – the Quandamooka people – have maintained a continuous presence in the area ever since.
The Sand Mining on North StradbrokeQuandamooka people have launched a High Court challenge to the State Government’s sand mining laws on North Stradbroke Island. The case against the Queensland Government is being brought by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC),on behalf of the Quandamooka people.
The Newman Government introduced the controversial North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability and Another Act Amendment Act in 2013. The Act provides for the possibility of sand mining on North Stradbroke Island to be extended until 2035 if an application is made by the owner of the mining leases during 2019 and if this application is approved by the Government. It also expands the area of the island available to be mined, without the consent of the native title holders, the Quandamooka people.
A very well presented and researched article is found on Wollydays
Is this another example of the State Government riding over community interests and not properly consulting with stakeholders and communities. Elsewhere on this site the examples of the Mt Cotton Quarry and the Toondah Harbour PDA development scheme echo a growing number of similar concerns.
For more detail on the case being mounted by the Quandamooka and of related issues surrounding North Stradbroke Island see Redlands2030’s page Government’s Mining Laws to be tested at the High Court.
Editor’s note: In the original version of this article it was stated incorrectly that the mining leases had been extended to 2035. Under the 2013 amendments to the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act, mining lease extensions cannot be applied for and granted before 1 January, 2019. Because the Queensland Parliament could change the law again before then, a lease extension from 2019 to 2035 (or 2027, the date previously sought by Sibelco) is currently potential, not certain, and this article was amended accordingly on 18 December 2014.