Stradbroke Terangeri Protection

On 6 December, after selective consultation, the Palaszczuk State Government announced two new water reserves intended to permit increased extraction of precious water, including for profit, from North Stradbroke Island.  

The State Government’s actions are likely to negatively impact the fragile environment of the Island (aka Minjerribah and Terrangeri), the world’s second largest sand island.  

After finally ending sand mining in 2019, after allowing it to continue for decades, the State Government promised it would protect and preserve the island for future generations.

Dale Ruska, an Aboriginal Elder from Straddie’s One Mile community and President of the Stradbroke (Terrangeri) Environmental and Cultural Protection Association Inc., said today:

“It will take many years for the island to recover from sand mining. Water extraction from the island’s aquifer has always been a controversial issue. The last thing the recovery needs is the extraction of more water.”

“A lot of damage was done from direct and indirect impacts of sand mining. This included damage to the layered structure of the island’s underground aquifer and some of its lakes.”

“The Government’s announcement is very disappointing. The Minister allowed only 2 weeks to respond to his notice of the Government’s intention. Our Association, and many other people, found out by word of mouth and did not have enough time to make our submission by the closing date. We requested an extension of time and followed this up twice. But our request was ignored.”

“It seems the Government notified groups who were thought to be ‘on side’ and likely not to oppose the plan. This is not genuine consultation, especially when organisations whose members include Aboriginal Elders were not notified and given time to respond.”

“Many Elders are very concerned about the noticeable quality reduction of the Island’s marine ecological diversity, that includes widespread sea grass and shellfish depletion. Questioning if this is being caused by the decreasing of natural hydrological discharge into the marine habitats due to already existing ground water extraction for mainland water usage supplies and past damage to the island’s water bodies”

“There have been noticeable negative impacts that have the potential to offset the natural balance of the entire biodiversity of the precious marine ecosystem”.

“We need a whole of island management plan to guide decision making here. The State Government continues to ignore requests to work towards such a plan.”

“Straddie needs its water to recover and help withstand climate change threats. We call on the Government to reverse its decision and carry out genuine consultation with the whole community”.