The Kabi Kabi people have been ruled as the native holders of a 365,000ha swathe of land in southeast Queensland, including the heavily populated areas of Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Bribie Island and Gympie. The Federal Court determination on Monday recognises the unbroken connection and traditional rights to the land and waters of the First Nations group. “My family have never left country,” Kabi Kabi traditional owner Kerry Jones said.
Rather, as per the Native Title Act, it gives them a seat at the table in discussions about land use and the ability to use the land for traditional purposes. “Acts that affect native title should only be able to be validly done if, typically, they can also be done to freehold land and if, whenever appropriate, every reasonable effort has been made to secure the agreement of the native title holders through a special right to negotiate,” the Act states.