Friday, Dec 16, 2005 at 15:47
Not sure how all this fits with general access to
Cape Melville. Anyone know? This is the official release,
Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women
The Hon. Desley Boyle MP
15 December 2005
New national park part of agreement with
Kalpowar traditional owners
A new national park will be created on
Cape York Peninsula and the
Kalpowar Aboriginal people have been granted ownership of traditional land in a landmark agreement with the Queensland Government.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Henry Palaszczuk were in
Cooktown today to sign an Indigenous land-use agreement (ILUA) with the traditional owners over the former
Kalpowar pastoral lease aggregation.
This agreement has resulted in the creation of areas of Aboriginal freehold land, the new Jack River National Park, an addition to the
Cape Melville National Park, a new nature refuge, and public-purpose
reserves.
"This is an historic occasion where we recognise the natural and cultural conservation values of this special part of
Cape York Peninsula and our shared commitment to their protection," Ms Boyle said.
Mr Palaszczuk said that "This day is a positive step towards reconciliation. We recognise past Indigenous attachment to the land and are making a positive move towards the future in placing the ownership and management of a significant part of the
Kalpowar land in the hands of Aboriginal people.
"The traditional owners have agreed to part of the Aboriginal freehold land also being declared a protected area and have entered into a conservation agreement to protect the significant natural and cultural values. It will be called the
Kalpowar Nature Refuge Area."
Mr Palaszczuk also noted that the traditional owners had made a commitment to provide ongoing access to part of the Aboriginal freehold land by Vietnam veterans.
"I acknowledge the generosity of the traditional owners of
Kalpowar in recognising the special needs of these veterans and allowing them continued access," he said.
Under the ILUA, the new Jack River National Park, totalling 166,000 hectares, will be created. More than 34,000 hectares will be added to
Cape Melville National Park and areas of Aboriginal freehold land totalling 192,800 hectares will be created, along with public-purpose
reserves
"The
Kalpowar area has high conservation values including mangroves, saltpans,
Cape York red gum, scarlet gum and molloy red box
woodlands, corypha palm
woodlands, melaleuca communities, rainforest, heaths and permanent and seasonal lagoons," said Ms Boyle.
"There are significant
sandstone escarpments in the northern areas while the coastal grassland supports a
population of the endangered
Cape York Peninsula star finch and white-bellied crimson finch.
"Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will help the traditional owners of the
Kalpowar area to undertake land management throughout the newly created protected area estate.
"Some areas have also been made public
reserves to allow for ongoing recreational use and QPWS will be investing significant funds in these areas including the provision of camping facilities.
"QPWS is also working with the traditional owners to develop a scholarship program that will help
young people gain the extra skills they need to manage the environmental values of their lands in the face of increasing demand for public access and use, and the impacts of
pests.
"The aim is a consistent management regime that extends across both the national parks and the Aboriginal land. This will be especially vital in delivering integrated fire management, weed and feral animal control, and cultural
heritage site protection.
Mr Palaszczuk said that "The ILUA is indeed symbolic of the shared commitment of all the parties and is a tangible outcome of the strong relationship that was forged in the
Cape York Heads of Agreement some nine years ago to achieve tenure resolution through negotiation and respect, not litigation."
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