The Hon. Scott Stewart, Minister for Resources (Qld), The Hon. Leanne Linard, Minister for Environment and Science (Qld), Joint Media Release, 23 June 2023

More than 79,000 hectares of the iconic Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park have been handed back to the Waanyi People in a historic ceremony at Parliament House.

This handback is the first step of a staged approach that will result in the full transfer of the entire Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park to the land’s rightful owners, the Waanyi People.

Ownership of the land will be transferred to the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (Waanyi Prescribed Body Corporate) for the Waanyi People.

Waanyi PBC will lease the Aboriginal land, in perpetuity, to the State to manage under the Nature Conservation Act, the first lease back arrangement that has been successfully negotiated on national park land in Queensland.

The area of land handed back today includes the southern section of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, the Lawn Hill Gorge area and the Riversleigh World Heritage site, part of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites.

The dedication of Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal land) is the first of its tenure class in Queensland.

To finalise these negotiations, the Queensland Government and the Waanyi PBC have entered into an Indigenous Land Use Agreement which recognises the native title rights of the Waanyi People and future interests over the land including ongoing public access, and a Cooperative Management Agreement to ensure the national park will continue to be cooperatively managed by Waanyi and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Waanyi People have an unbreakable connection with Boodjamulla (rainbow serpent country) – the spiritual heart of their land. From the emerald waters of Lawn Hill Gorge to open woodlands and spinifex communities, each landscape represents rich songlines and dreamings.

Quotes attributable to Waanyi Lore Man and chairman of the Waanyi Prescribed Body Corporate Alec Doomadgee:

“My people had occupied Boodjamulla for thousands of years and it is integral to our culture and Country.

“We stand on the shoulders of Great Waanyi Warrior men and women that have gone before us who have led our struggle to take back our Land, Boodjamulla.

“Waanyi People, together, can benefit from our Land in a positive way. We are looking forward to a brighter future and creating opportunities for our people our way, working respectfully and cooperatively with the Queensland Government, after Waanyi Peoples unanimous decision to approve these agreements for the hand back of Boodjamulla today.

“In partnership with QPWS, Waanyi People look forward to building on the awareness of Boodjamulla and enhancing visitor knowledge and experience on Waanyi Country.

“The Waanyi Tribe has occupied the Boodjamulla Gorge for 30,000 years. This has been proven through the science of carbon dating. It’s only right that we, the Waanyi people, have a voice in how it is run over the next 30,000 years.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Environment and Science Leanne Linard:

“Today’s handover is a significant step towards the Palaszczuk Government’s Path to Treaty, which supports First Nations people’s rights to self-determination and a more respectful shared future.

“The Waanyi People have lived in the area for thousands of years and have developed a rich, strong connection to the land. Boodjamulla always was and always will be Waanyi land.

“This historic land hand back is a testament of the courage, determination and commitment of the Waanyi People who have worked hard to see the rightful return of their Country.

“QPWS is pleased to continue its relationship working alongside the Waanyi People to jointly manage the national park in a way that will protect the key natural and cultural features of Boodjamulla, whilst also providing visitors with a memorable experience.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Resources Scott Stewart:

“The Department of Resources has worked closely with the Waanyi people and the Department of Environment and Science on the transfer of today’s title deeds.

“Today is a significant moment because the cultures and histories of our First Nations Peoples are unique and their practices and sacred sites are worth protecting.

“Although we still have a long way to go to address the injustices of the past, we’re committed to working together on the Path to Treaty.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Treaty and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Leeanne Enoch:

“It was a significant moment to see the rightful return of this land to the Waanyi People today.

“By handing back this land to its rightful owners, we are recognising, celebrating, and respecting the Waanyi People’s ancient right to maintain culture, to care for Country and protect cultural heritage.

“As Queensland continues on its Path to Treaty, the lands, place names and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will form a much greater part of our shared experience.”

Further information:

Lawn Hill Gorge was first gazetted as a national park in December 1984. Prior to this, it was part of a significant cattle grazing property known as Lawn Hill Station.

The park was extended in March 1992 to include one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world and the richest known fossil mammal deposit in Australia with its fossils dating back 25 million years. The Riversleigh World Heritage site was inscribed on the World Heritage List and National Heritage List in 2007.

Lawn Hill Gorge was renamed Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park in 2003 in recognition of the area’s Traditional Owners, the Waanyi People.

It is one of Queensland’s most scenic national parks featuring spectacular gorges, sandstone ranges, and the internationally significant Riversleigh World Heritage fossil site.

The Federal Court handed down a consent determination of Native Title to the Waanyi People over an area of more than 1.7 million hectares in northwest Queensland, including Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park and neighbouring Lawn Hill Resources Reserves in 2010. The Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (also referred to as Waanyi PBC) is the registered native title body.

The Aboriginal Land Tribunal recommended Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park land be granted to Waanyi People and the Minnie Myboogundji family under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 in 2016. The Waanyi PBC changed its rule book to include the Minnie Myboogundji family.

The Waanyi PBC commenced negotiations with the Department of Environment and Science and Department of Resources in 2020.

Soon after the issue of title deeds at the handback ceremony on 23 June 2023, the tranche 1 lands will be dedicated as Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal land).

More information on the national park can be viewed at: Lawn Hill Gorge, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.