A ceremony has been held in Rockhampton to mark the registration of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement between Defence and the Traditional Owners of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, the Darumbal people.
The Agreement recognises the 20-year relationship between Defence and the Darumbal people as an important milestone in the expansion of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area under the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI).
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the agreement will have enormous benefits to both the Darumbal Traditional Owners and the ADF for generations to come.
“The Shoalwater Bay Training Area is one of Australia’s most important Defence training areas, and its expansion under the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative will help meet the future needs of the ADF, enhance Australia’s Defence relationship with Singapore and support economic growth in the region,” Minister Reynolds said. “I would like to thank and acknowledge the Darumbal Traditional Owners for their support in making the Indigenous Land Use Agreement a reality.”
Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the signing of the agreement was an important milestone for the Darumbal people.
“The Indigenous Land Use Agreement puts in place mechanisms that will continue Defence’s collaboration with the Darumbal Traditional Owners on cultural heritage and future access to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area,” Assistant Minister Landry said.
Warren Malone, Chair of the Darumbal Registered Native Title Body Corporate, said this agreement is a tangible demonstration of the Darumbal’s continuous connection to all land and waters of the greater Rockhampton area, including the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
“It provides certainty around land access and the protection of our cultural heritage and we look forward to continuing our enduring relationship with Defence,” Malone said.