Queensland city at war over plans to transfer a large tract of land to the Aboriginal group without consultation
A Queensland town is at war over the transfer of a large swath of land to Aboriginal ownership without consultation, which critics say could set a risky precedent.
Residents of Toobeah, a town of just 300 people about four hours southwest of Brisbane, have spoken out after recently hearing about the transmission.
The city's mayor and former LNP state opposition leader Lawrence Springborg is in the middle of the deal that will see the 220-hectare Toobeah Reserve donated by the state government to the Bigambul Aboriginal Corporation (BAC).
Michael Offerdahl, whose family runs the Toobeah Hotel Motel, said he was concerned that BAC could “close down” the preserve, the city's main recreation center with popular hiking trails and swimming spots.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has also weighed in, with the Queensland senator writing to the state government and Goondiwindi Regional Council demanding the transfer be halted until local people have been properly consulted.
The remote southern Queensland town of Toobeah (pictured) has become the center of a controversial debate in the state over the transfer of land to traditional owners
Local entrepreneur Michael Offerdahl (third from right) said he was concerned that locals would have to ask permission to enter the reserve and that this could set a precedent for other areas
The 220-acre Toobeah Reservation is located immediately north of the city and has served as the main recreation center since its early days
Mr Offerdahl, whose business borders the reserve immediately north of the town centre, said any residents or visitors to the town must seek permission from the Aboriginal Corporation to go walking or swimming there.
“We are the first defense stronghold for this – if we address this now it sets an insane precedent,” Offerdahl said. The courier post.
“At first I was just concerned about the growth of our town – we need 20 more houses to support the cotton and dryland farmers and they could be built on that land – but now my biggest fear is for other places in Queensland.'
Senator Hanson said the reserve had been the center of the Toobeah community for over a hundred years and during that time residents had paid to keep it well maintained.
“More than half of Australia is already under native title, with a further 12 per cent under claim… at some point Australians will have to say enough is enough,” she said.
Mr Springborg said that although Mr Offerdahl has only just become aware of the plan, a community consultation is underway and state government officials will make a trip to the city on March 4 to discuss it further.
Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg said the transfer of the land to the Aboriginal corporation is under the control of the state government, while One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has written to both the council and the state government asking them to halt the process .
Local Aboriginal elders perform a smoking ceremony on the Toobeah Reserve
According to the council's website, it is 'trustee of several Queensland Government land parcels in Toobeah, locally referred to as the Toobeah Reserve; this includes the local water infrastructure in the city and the supply route network.”
As the 'sole property manager' of the reserve, the municipality has no land rights. It is the state government that is responsible for any change in use or ownership.
“The Queensland Government has been exploring the possibility of transferring the Toobeah Reserve to the local traditional owner group for approximately four years.”
A post about the plan shared on the council's Facebook page last week sparked many comments and comments were disabled because the council was 'unable to manage comment moderation'.
BAC director Justin Saunders spoke about the plan at a council meeting on Monday, saying Aboriginal owners are far from wanting to close the reserve to access as a cultural and ecotourism destination.
He tried to assuage community concerns by assuring residents that they would be able to use the reservation the same way they had for decades.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted BAC, Toobeah Hotel Motel, for comment.