An Indigenous group has been formally recognised as the native title holders over a huge are of land in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in a historic ruling by a Federal Court judge after almost two decades. At a special hearing in Brisbane, Justice Berna Collier recognised the Kabi Kabi as the native title holders for more than 365,000 hectares of land and waters. This area stretches from Elimbah Creek to Sandstone Point, Bribie Island, Cooloola National Park, Mary River, Curra State Forest and the Isis River.
The determination areas also includes Noosa, Gympie, Mudjimba Island, Maroochydore and Caloundra. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Justice Collier was satisfied the Kabi Kabi people “have and always have had native title rights and interests in this country” the court heard.
“I congratulate everyone involved for reaching agreement in this matter, but in particular the Kabi Kabi people whose native title rights and interests have today received deserved recognition,” she said. Norman Bond, who is a Kabi Kabi traditional owner, said the ruling meant “stability and grounding to build the Kabi Kabi Nation where it should be”. “It means the Kabi Kabi People can be formally recognised by all tiers of government and by the public without feeling they (Kabi Kabi) have to justify who they are, because the native title claim process was not complete,” Mr Bond told the Courier Mail.
The non-exclusive title rights .