Traditional Owners from across Cape York will join community and environmental organisations in Cairns today to voice concerns that proposed changes to Queensland’s planning and development laws could further reduce community input into major mining decisions.
The media conference coincides with a visit to Cairns by Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie. Representatives speaking are all currently facing proposed critical minerals projects and mine expansions and they will share experiences navigating development processes and highlight that the proposed Bill would further weaken the voices of Traditional Owners and community over decisions affecting Country, culture, water and future generations.
“Reducing the role of Traditional Owners in decision making diminishes our capacity for self-governance and limits meaningful participation in matters that directly affect our bubu (land) or way of life in terms of culture and end result our future” – Deleece Bowen, Daarba Land Trust
Our rivers carry the wisdom of Country and sustain all life. Water is too precious to exploit and too sacred to waste. Mines like the Tungsten Mine at Mt Carbine are polluting sacred waters. These proposed laws will silence our voices and accelerate the destruction of Culture and Country. – Natarsha Brady Lawarence, Western Yalanji Woman speaking on behalf of her family group Jawiyaba Warra.
“For generations, Western Cape Traditional Owners have had decisions made about our Country without our consent. The Comalco Act has already silenced us into agreements. We are being forced to agree upon development that gives away our human rights. We can’t have a say because some white collar agendas are coercing Cape York people into unconscionable agreements against our human rights. This bill will worsen things and heighten the risk of foreclosure on communities and stations. – Nerida Brown Teppethiggi Traditional Owner from the Western Cape
Traditional Owners and community representatives are still processing the proposed changes, with a parliamentary inquiry now open to the public for submission by 4pm, 25 June 2026.
“The Deputy Premier is putting industry interests ahead of the rights of Traditional Owners and local communities. These laws shift power away from the people who live with the consequences of development and towards those seeking to profit from extraction.” – Lucy Graham, Cape York Campaigner, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre
With critical minerals mining and other large-scale developments expanding across Queensland, representatives say now is the time to strengthen democratic participation and accountability. They are calling on Parliament to reject legislation that would concentrate decision-making power in government and further reduce the influence of Traditional Owners and local communities.
