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Native Title on Redlands Coast

[Page reviewed October 2024]

Redland City Council acknowledges the Quandamooka people as the Traditional Custodians of most of the land and waters we now call Redlands Coast and the deep and continuing connection of the Quandamooka people to the land.

Council is deeply committed to continuing the reconciliation journey. Council is also dedicated to upholding its obligations under Queensland and Commonwealth law including its requirements to provide and manage the environment, land use, critical community assets and services for Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island and the broader Redlands Coast community. 

In fulfilling these commitments and obligations, Council is strongly committed to working respectfully and in good faith with the Quandamooka Elders, the Quandamooka people and representative groups, including Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) as the Prescribed Body Corporate, other First Nations people, the State Government and the broader community to help ensure these complex matters are progressed in a positive and constructive manner. 

Native Title rights and procedures are already well established and have been Australian law for almost thirty years.

Quandamooka Coast Native Title Claim

There is currently a native title claim over much of Redlands Coast. It was filed by the Quandamooka applicants with the Federal Court of Australia in March 2017 and entered on the Register of Native Title claims in May 2017.

The Quandamooka Coast Claim covers around 530 square kilometres including a small part of Brisbane City and most of mainland Redlands, as well as areas of Lamb Island, Macleay Island, Karragarra Island, Coochiemudlo Island, Cassim Island, Sandy Island, Tindappah Island (Garden Island), Green Island (Milwarpa), King Island (Erobin), St Helena Island (Noongoon) and Mud Island (Bungumba).  Redland City Council is a party to the proceedings. 

A map of the Quandamooka Coast claim [PDF, 1.4MB] is available on the National Native Title Tribunal website.

While native title does not include land in private or public freehold ownership, such as houses and businesses, approximately 3500 Council-owned or managed properties are included in the current Quandamooka Coast native title claim.

Council has been participating in the legal process as a respondent to the claim, as per the Native Title Act 1993 (the Act), and established procedures for identifying and settling claims. Council’s research has sought to assist in identifying the status of Native Title in the claim area, and the extent to which native title rights exist and has been making submissions to the State Government and the Native Title claim applicant.

The efforts of Redland City Council to clarify the status of land under claim are not designed or intended to defeat the Native Title interests or aspirations of the Quandamooka people. 

Having clarity over the history of the lots of land – and whether that extinguishes native title or not – will ensure there are no legacy issues down the track.

The well-established process for native title claims is that parties with an interest in the land within the claim area elect to join the proceeding and they then may make submissions in regard to land where native title may have been extinguished.

Native title may be extinguished where there is evidence of a previous exclusive possession act (ie. a PEPA), demonstrated by either a previous grant of tenure and/or prior public works, such as the building of roads, playgrounds, shelters and other buildings.

The Queensland State Government provided an initial assessment which included an examination of selective parts of the claim areas including approximately 1300 areas of Council owned or managed land.

That initial assessment identified approximately 1050 Council properties where native title had been extinguished by a PEPA but approximately 80 parcels of Council land as having native title rights and interests attached to them, ie. native title had not been extinguished by a PEPA.  Examples of some of these areas were:

  • Animal Shelter, Cleveland
  • Apex Park, Wellington Point
  • Birkdale Waste Transfer Station
  • Boy Scouts Hall, Merill and Rob Ovenden Park
  • Clark Street/Coburg Street West Bushland
  • Cleveland Cemetery
  • Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve
  • Doug Tiller Reserve, Wellington Point
  • Dredge/Spoil Pond, Toondah Harbour
  • Ferry Terminal and Breakwater, Weinam Creek
  • Geoff Skinner Wetlands, Wellington Point
  • GJ Walter Park
  • Greater Glider Conservation Area, Alexandra Hills
  • Henry Ziegenfusz Park
  • Holden Street Wetlands, Beach Street, Cleveland
  • Judy Holt Recreation Reserve
  • Land at Cleveland Industrial Estate
  • Land at Eprapah Creek Corridor, Thornlands
  • Nandeebie Park
  • Oyster Point
  • Pioneer Cemetery
  • Redland Performing Arts Centre
  • Smith Street Hall
  • South Street Conservation Area
  • Squirrel Glider Conservation Area, Alexandra Hills
  • Venman Bushland National Park
  • Victoria Point Recreation Reserve
  • Victoria Point Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Weippin Street, Conservation Area
  • Wellington Point Recreation Reserve

Note:  In some instances, native title rights may have only be asserted over a portion of the areas identified above. 

Council has undertaken its own assessment of these contentious properties and because the State’s initial assessment did not deal with all of Council’s land (in the claim area) and, the State was not willing to expand the scope of that initial assessment to includes all of Council’s land, Council lodged its own Non-claimant application in the Federal Court on 24/03/2022

Council’s Non-Claimant Applications – Seeking clarity for Council-owned or managed land

Redland City Council filed its Non-Claimant Applications seeking clarity from the Federal Court as to whether native title has been extinguished on approximately 2500 other Council-owned or managed parcels of land. 

While native title rights are generally accepted to have been extinguished over freehold properties including residential houses and businesses when there is a valid grant of title prior to the commencement of the Native Title Act (NTA), Council seeks clarity from the Federal Court about whether native title has been extinguished on Council-owned or managed sites including key parks, reserves, infrastructure, and foreshores, some of which are freehold properties, because there is not always a simple conveyance from a previous owner.  Many of Council properties became Council properties after the commencement of the NTA and so there is potential for uncertainty.

Council’s efforts to clarify the status of native title on its land is in no way intended to obstruct the Quandamooka applicant’s claim for recognition of their native title.  Rather, Council seeks to clarify where native title exists by working through its list of properties within the Quandamooka Coast Claim area. 

Council’s non-claimant applications follow the legislative processes and includes research evidencing the potential extinguishment of native title over land which may have been the subject of previous exclusive possession acts.    Since 2021, Council has made several submissions to the State Government and Quandamooka applicants about the many properties where Council's research indicates that native title has been extinguished.

Council’s non-claimant applications reflect Council's desire to provide certainty and clarity to the Redlands Coast community. A complete understanding of where native title exists and how native title rights are exercised will ensure there are no legacy issues in the future. 

Current Status of Proceedings

Over the past few years, Council, the State of Queensland and the Quandamooka applicants have strived to reach a Consent Determination that would represent a satisfactory agreement to all parties involved and actively participated in a number of chaired mediations.  While there has been progress, there are still many questions that remain unanswered. 

On 2 June 2023, the State provided a draft determination seeking consent from the parties to have the claim determined in accordance with the draft determination. Council did not agree with the content of the draft determination because:

  • It failed to identify the parcels of land where the State had assessed, and the Quandamooka Applicants agreed, native title to be extinguished by previous grants of tenure (which relate to approximately 1000 reserves under Council's control).
  • It ambiguously lists a number of parcels of land (where the State and Quandamooka Applicants have agreed native title has been extinguished) as falling outside the determination area rather than being identified as an area where native title has been extinguished.
  • It continues to claim native title rights and interests over parcels of land which Council asserts and has provided compelling evidence that public works have extinguished native title.

The failure of the draft determination to provide the most comprehensive outcome would leave the Redlands Coast community with a very substantial future legacy of uncertainty in relation to land on which many core community assets are located.

For all these reasons Council filed a notice with the Federal Court on 30 June, 2023 contesting the draft determination prepared by the State. 

On 24 July 2024 the parties attended a Case Management Hearing before a Justice of the Federal Court.  The purpose of the hearing was to agree on a timetable of steps to be completed to progress the matter towards a hearing in the second half of July 2025.  A copy of the order made following the Case Management Hearing can be obtained from the Commonwealth Courts Portal. 

The Court ordered that the Quandamooka Coast Claim and Council’s Non-Claimant Applications, be listed for a four-week hearing to commence on 1 September 2025.  The parties will continue to progress the matter in accordance with the Order by exchanging pleadings and evidence and by otherwise taking the steps as set out in the Order.

The court also ordered that the matter be listed for further a further Case Management Hearing on 20 December 2024 and made provision to allow the parties to continue with mediation, which may assist in narrowing the issues in dispute to be determined by the Court.  Council is hopeful that this will indeed be the case.

Council will continue to work respectfully with the representatives of Quandamooka people and the Federal Court and to negotiate in good faith with the parties to the claim.

Court documents and information relating to the proceedings can be accessed via the following links:

 

Timeline for Quandamooka Coast Native Title Claim 2017

Quandamooka Coast Native Title Claim 2017

March 2017 - Quandamooka Coast Claim filed with the Federal Court of Australia.

May 2017 - Quandamooka Coast Claim accepted for registration on the Register of Native Title Claims.

October 2017 - Redland City Council became a party to the Quandamooka Coast claim.

February 2020 - Parties to the claim agree to abide by a case management timetable.

Claim Research and Mediation

September 2020 - Redland City Council begins detailed title search and investigation of land use history for 3,500 areas under claim.

August 2021 - Redland City Council begins submissions for extinguishment of native title through to December 2022.

February 2022 - Mediation sessions held up to May 2023.

March 2022 - Redland City Council filed three non-claimant applications and supporting material in the Federal Court. The filing seeks orders/declarations that native title does not exist over specific land and areas under its control within the claim area.

March 2023 - Federal Court of Australia orders parties to either progress matter towards Consent Determination or a Hearing.

June 2023 - Queensland government circulates draft Consent Determination agreed between the State and the Quandamooka Claimant. The draft determination ignores much of the previous agreement advice and submission evidence.

June 2023 - Redland City Council gives notice to the Federal Court that it contests the 2 June 2023 draft Consent Determination.

Federal Court Filing for Determination

June 2023 – Quandamooka Coast claim with the Federal Court for direction, hearing(s) and determination.

July 2024 – Claim parties attended a Case Management Hearing before a Justice of the Federal Court.  The purpose of the hearing was to agree on a timetable of steps to be completed to progress the matter. The Court ultimately listed the matter for a four-week hearing to commence 1 September 2024.

August 2024 to October 2024 – Exchange of pleadings between the parties

December 2024 – Further Case Management Hearing listed for 20 December 2024

November 2024 to August 2025 – The parties are to undertake a number of steps  to progress the matter towards hearing in accordance with the Order made 25 July 2025.

September 2025 – Quandamooka Coast Claim and Council’s Non-Claimant Applications listed for a four-week hearing commencing 1 September 2025

Quandamooka Peoples' 2011 Native Title determinations

I have not come here today to give anything to the Quandamooka People. These orders give them nothing. Rather, I come on behalf of all Australian People to recognise their existing rights and interests, which rights and interests have their roots in times before 1788, only some of which have survived European settlement. Those surviving rights and interests I now acknowledge – Judge Dowsett, 4 July 2011

The Quandamooka Peoples' 2011 native title consent determinations (Quandamooka People #1 and Quandamooka People #2) cover most of North Stradbroke Island, Peel Island, Goat Island, Bird Island, Stingaree Island, Crab Island and the surrounding waters of Moreton Bay. These areas are the result of two claims made by the Quandamooka Peoples in 1995 and 1999, on which the Federal Court made its determinations. 

The determinations recognise the Quandamooka Peoples' rights to:

  • live and be present on the determination areas
  • conduct traditional ceremonies
  • take, use, share and exchange traditional natural resources
  • conduct burial rites, teach about the physical and spiritual attributes of the area
  • maintain places of importance and areas of significance.

On Monday 4 July 2011, the Redland City Council and the Quandamooka Peoples signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement, setting out broad principles and mechanisms for how the parties will work together and meet responsibilities for mutual benefits.

 

Questions and answers

Native title is the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have rights and interests to land and waters according to their traditional law and customs as set out in Australian law. 

Native title is recognised and protected by the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 and state legislation such as the Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993.

Native title rights describe a bundle of rights applying to land. These may include traditional rights and interests to:

  • live and be present in the determination areas
  • conduct traditional ceremonies
  • take, use, share and exchange traditional natural resources
  • conduct burial rites
  • teach about the physical and spiritual attributes of the area
  • maintain places of importance and sites of significance.

'In Australian common law, most private homes are under a type of tenure called freehold land. As the name suggests, this means the land is ‘free from hold’ by any other entity and the owner can mortgage, lease, or sell their land and build a dwelling in accordance with local laws and planning regulations. Native title can’t be recognised over freehold land, and a native title determination won’t affect private home ownership.' 
Source: Queensland Government website What native title means for Queensland.

Native title comes in two forms: non-exclusive possession and exclusive possession.

Non-exclusive native title is native title across areas where there is a shared interest with another party. Non-exclusive native title rights holders do not have exclusive rights to the lands or access to the land. 

Exclusive possession in native title includes the right to possess and occupy an area to the exclusion of all others. 

All native title rights are subject to the laws of the State and the Commonwealth.

The process begins under the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 when a native title claim group files (lodges) an application in the Federal Court seeking a determination that recognises them as native title holders over the area claimed.

Native title requires Aboriginal people to prove they have had a continuous and unbroken connection to their country since colonisation.

If an Aboriginal person or group wants to establish a native title claim, they must submit a claim application to the Federal Court, responsible for managing all aspects of native title.

The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 establishes two important bodies for responding to and determining native title claims. The Federal Court of Australia is responsible for determining native title and compensation, including orders giving effect to a claim agreement. 

The National Native Title Tribunal has the power to decide if a claim can be made and to provide assistance or undertake mediation.

The Claim was filed in the Federal Court and covers approximately 530 square kilometres across Redlands Coast mainland and islands excluding North Stradbroke Island (as subject to the 2011 Native Title determination); Russell Island and approximately 33 square kilometres in the southern areas of Mount Cotton and Redland Bay. The Claim seeks a Federal Court Order that native title rights and interests exist to possess, occupy, use and enjoy the lands and waters of the application area, excluding those areas where Native Title has been extinguished, for example, freehold land and public works. 

Quandamooka Coast Native Title Claim (currently before the Federal Court) was entered on the Register of Native Title Claims in 2017 and is in the process of determination.

This claim covers most of mainland Redlands Coast and part of Brisbane City, as well as islands including Lamb Island, Macleay Island, Karragarra Island, Coochiemudlo Island, Cassim Island, Sandy Island, Tindappah Island (Garden Island), Green Island (Milwarpa), King Island (Robin), St Helena Island (Noongoon) and Mud Island (Bungumba). 

The claim registered in 2017 covers major areas of Redland City and potentially affects thousands of properties under management by Council and Council ownership and trust.

Redland City Council acknowledges and respects the native title interests and aspirations of the Quandamooka people. Council agrees that there is a Quandamooka cultural connection to the land and is clarifying how native title rights can be exercised.

Council’s research has sought to assist in identifying the status of public land in the claim area, and the extent to which native title rights exist. This has been provided in part to the State Government and the applicant and this process is continuing.

The efforts of Redland City Council to clarify the status of land under claim are not designed or intended to defeat the Native Title interests or aspirations of the Quandamooka people. Rather they are a fundamental step in clarifying the status of native title and responding to the claim under the established process and legislation that has been in place for the past 30 years.

Redland City Council continues to bear the substantial burden of responding to the Quandamooka Coast claim from its own source revenues. Costs include the administrative costs of discovery and documentation of the historical title (dating back to the 1800's), ownership, and use of the 3,500 individual lots under council management that are the subject of the claim.  

As a respondent to the claim, Council must provide sufficient evidence under the provisions of the Native Title Act for the extinguishment of native title where native title interests have been claimed. The State has not contributed to the cost of this work by Council, and neither the claimant nor the State Government have provided support for this work. 

Additionally, Council bears the ongoing legal cost of native title claims, including legal representations and documentation required by the Federal Court of Australia and the National Native Title Tribunal.

Council’s research has sought to assist in identifying the status of native title rights on public land in the claim area, and the extent to which those rights exist. Council has provided in part this research to the State Government and the native title claim applicant.

In the interests of providing certainty for all parties sooner, Redland City Council has applied to the Court to formally seek a determination as to the status of native title for the many properties in which Council has an interest. This action seeks to ensure the final determination of the native title claim by the Court is the most complete outcome available and avoids the need to revisit the Court's determination in the future.  

Over the past few years, Council, the State of Queensland and the Quandamooka applicants have strived to reach a Consent Determination that would represent a satisfactory agreement to all parties involved and actively participated in a number of chaired mediations. 

Unfortunately, the parties were unable to resolve all matters at mediation. As a result, and to progress the proceedings, the Federal Court on 10 March 2023 made several orders, including requiring the State to circulate a draft Consent Determination (as agreed with the Quandamooka applicants) by 2 June 2023 and compelling Council to file a notice in response as to whether it will consent to or contest the draft determination by 30 June 2023. 

On 2 June 2023, the State provided the draft consent determination to Council, as agreed with the Applicant. Council disagreed with the content of the draft determination because:

  • It is not reflective of the substantive outcomes of the mediation process
  • It does not capture consent as to parcels on which native title does not exist, such as by:
    • Failing to identify the parcels of land where the State had assessed, and the Quandamooka Applicants agreed, native title to be extinguished by previous grants of tenure (which relate to approximately 1000 reserves under Council's control).
    • Ambiguously listing a number of parcels of land (where the State and Quandamooka Applicants have agreed native title has been extinguished) as falling outside the determination area rather than being identified as an area where native title has been extinguished.
    • Recording native title rights and interests over parcels of land which Council asserts and has provided compelling evidence that public works have extinguished native title.
  • It would lead, contrary to the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, to all matters in controversy between the parties not being determined completely and finally, and result in a multiplicity of ongoing proceedings.

For all these reasons Council filed a notice with the Federal Court on 30 June 2023 contesting the draft determination prepared by the State. This means the claim will need to be determined by a hearing in the Federal Court. 

Under the Native Title Act 1993 (NTA), the Federal Court of Australia has jurisdiction to hear and determine native title determination applications and related native title matters.

Council filed notice with the Federal Court on 30 June 2023, contesting the draft consent determination prepared and circulated by the State on 2 June 2023. This means that the claim will need to be determined by the Federal Court, which will set out a timetable of steps to progress the claim towards determination. 

The claim remains subject to the Native Title legislation [the Native Title Act 1993 (the Act)] and established procedures for identifying and settling claims under the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Australia.

Further progress of the claim will depend on the position of all parties following their consideration of all the material provided by the parties, including Council, and the direction of the Federal Court.

As with all native title claims, the Quandamooka people's claims cannot cover freehold land or many types of leasehold land, so most landholders will not be directly affected.

The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 also guides where native title may be extinguished or partially extinguished due to past acts by Government called Previous Exclusive Possession Acts (PEPAs).  

These acts may relate to the exercise of sovereign authority and ensuring the intent of legislation and the Constitution are not invalidated or overcome. PEPAs may include grants of tenure (for example, freehold) that confer exclusive possession and "public works" done before 23 December 1996.  

Public works include those works by local Government in any of its capacities that include buildings, structures (including a memorial), fixtures, roads, railways, bridges, wells, bores, major earthworks and a building constructed with the authority of the Crown, other than on a lease.

As a party to the Quandamooka Coast Native Title Claim Council considers native title has been extinguished in areas of the claim under the established native title principles of Previous Exclusive Possession Acts (PEPAs). 

Council has sought to place this information before the State, the claim applicant and the Federal Court to aid in determining the claim.

Redland City Council acknowledges and recognises the vital importance of connection to the land and seas as part of aboriginal history, traditional culture and practice.

Council also recognises the role of native title legislation and the Federal Court of Australia in procedures established over the past 30 years for adjudicating native title claims over Australian lands and waters.

The Quandamooka Coast Native Title claim includes land enclosing public infrastructure such as sewerage and drainage mains, recreation and conservation reserves, and sporting fields. It also contains public boat ramps, quarries, cemeteries, and buildings and amenities including the Council's Cleveland administration building and the Redland Performing Arts Centre.

Redland City Council cannot speculate on the likely final impact of successful Quandamooka Coast native title claims pending the settlement of the claims.  While Native Title determinations by the Federal Court of Australia may impact the ownership of public assets, result in requests for compensation, or affect access to community assets, failure to thoroughly resolve or determine native title claims will equally contribute to future costs and uncertainty for the community, including for the Aboriginal community and title applicants.

A determination that native title rights remain for all 3,500 land titles under the Quandamooka Coast claim, would likely have a substantial impact on Council and the Redlands Coast community. Redland City Council does not anticipate this will be the outcome and continues to present its evidence for the extinguishment of native title for many lots under claim in the expectation of reaching mutual agreement with the parties to the claim. 

A potentially significant future cost to the community is the increasingly uncertain application of State and Federal legislation and regulation in exercising native title rights*. This includes the unauthorised clearing of land and the growing construction of dwellings on State land on North Stradbroke Island without planning approval, consent, or agreement. 

The Queensland Government passed a Planning Act amendment in 2016 requiring planning to consider 'valuing, protecting and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and tradition' in advancing the Planning Act 2016 (Qld). 

However, the continuing absence of any formal planning consideration, application, or accountability for constructing dwellings and clearing vegetation on State and Quandamooka land in high-value conservation areas on North Stradbroke Island sets a precedent that poses future risks to the community and for the equitable application of legal jurisdiction. 

Native title is often a bundle of rights asserting traditional customs and practices. 

While these rights may identify traditional fishing and hunting practices, using and managing vegetation or constructing temporary dwellings, Council is concerned about the social and community impacts, including for the Quandamooka people, living on land where unauthorised and unplanned homes have not been subject to any planning or approval. These concerns include the absence of infrastructure or service provision or the application of regulations protecting public health, safety and amenity, including fire risk for the Quandamooka people and the surrounding community. 

Council has long sought clarity from the State government so that Aboriginal residents can live in certainty and with consideration for similar interests regarding land tenure security, insurance, loans, building and plumbing environmental safety, etc., as all other community members. 

*1. Your Say Redlands Coast City Plan Amendments – Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island – Queensland Government FAQs. 
2. State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Qld. 2019 – Land use planning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and native title. Section 3.4.1, page 7. ‘When exercising native title rights the exercise of native title rights and interests are not exempt from the laws of the state or Commonwealth. The exercising of native title rights and interests, if assessable development under the Planning Act 2016, still requires a development approval under that Act and is to be assessed against the provisions in the applicable local planning instrument. For example, a person who may have native title rights to erect temporary structures on land will also need to consider the requirements contained in the local government planning scheme before erecting that structure.’

A successful native title claim may determine that exclusive or non-exclusive rights exist over all or parts of public parks, reserves and public spaces.  

Where exclusive native title is granted, access may only be available to native title rights holders.  

A determination of non-exclusive native title access may result in shared use of areas like public parks, reserves and public spaces.

Native title is extinguished by Previous Exclusive Possession Acts (PEPA).  PEPAs are grants of tenure that confer exclusive possession and “public works” that were done prior to 23 December 1996.

Section 23B(2) of the Native Title Act 1993 provides that an act is a PEPA if, it is valid, it took place on or before 23 December 1996 and it consists of the grant or vesting of any of the following:

  • A Scheduled interest
  • A freehold estate
  • A commercial lease that is neither an agricultural lease nor a pastoral lease
  • An exclusive agricultural lease or an exclusive pastoral lease
  • A residential lease
  • A community-purpose lease
  • Any lease, other than a mining lease, that confers a right of exclusive possession over particular land or waters.

Section 23B(7) provides that an act is a PEPA if it is valid and it consists of the construction or establishment of any public work that commenced to be constructed or established on or before 23 December 1996 and includes:

  • a building, or other structure (including a memorial), that is a fixture
  • a road, railway or bridge  
  • [in certain circumstances] a stock-route
  • a well, or bore, for obtaining water
  • any major earthworks
  • a building that is constructed with the authority of the Crown, other than on a lease

“Major earthworks” is defined to mean “earthworks (other than in the course of mining) whose construction causes major disturbance to the land, or to the bed or subsoil under waters”.

The establishment of public work extinguishes native title on the land on which the public work is constructed, as well as adjacent land or water which is/was necessary for, or incidental to, the construction, maintenance and operation of the public work.

Extinguishment of native title is permanent. This means that the native title rights and interests cannot revive, even if the Previous Exclusive Possession Acts (PEPA) that resulted in the extinguishment ceases to have effect (for example if a public work was later demolished).

The Quandamooka Coast Native title Claim is a new claim over areas of the mainland and is currently in the process of determination.

It is separate from the already settled claims in the two 2011 native title consent determinations made by Justice Dowsett of the Federal Court of Australia at Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island, on 4 July 2011.

Council continues to promote a culture of inclusiveness and celebration of the rich cultures and traditions of the First Nations People of this land.

Council's community and corporate plans identify the unique interests and history of the Quandamooka people in Redlands Coast. The plans commit to working together to protect and respect that history for the whole community's benefit.

In 2019, Council adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan Kanara Malara – One People 2019–2021, an internal document formalising its organisational vision for reconciliation. The Reconciliation Action Plan outlined 55 commitments of which 51 have been fulfilled.

Council has now begun the next stage of the reconciliation journey - working with the community and Reconciliation Australia on the development of an external Reconciliation Action Plan. An external Reconciliation Action Plan working group which includes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members now meet quarterly.

Council continues its strong focus on achieving the organisation’s vision for reconciliation and establishing the best approach to advance reconciliation in the community.

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