Today we celebrate the end of sand mining on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) – and the return of nearly one-quarter of the island to the Quandamooka people.
Six years ago, the Quandammooka people asked ACF to join a long-running campaign to bring an end to sand mining on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in the Moreton Bay region of Queensland.
ACF was proud to answer the call and stood in solidarity with Traditional Owners and residents with a shared vision to end sand mining on the second largest sand island in the world.
Credit: Nikki Michail
Traditional Owners and local conservationists had been protesting the destructive industry since the late 1980s, so ACF joining the campaign to Stand up for Straddie and Make Sand Mining History was just the latest chapter in a long struggle to protect the land and see it returned to its Traditional Owners, the Quandamooka people.
But today – New Year’s Day 2020 – a new, better chapter begins. Last night, Belgian company Sibelco switched off its machinery and sand mining is finally history on Straddie.
In December, Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk visited Stradbroke Island to formally hand back nearly one-quarter of the island to its Traditional Owners.
The Quandamooka people can now continue the important job of restoring the damage mining has done to their land, and grow sustainable livelihoods that protect country and culture.
ACF congratulates the Quandamooka people and campaign allies – the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, Friends of Stradbroke Island, Jan Aldenhoven and other local conservationists – on this historic moment.
It's a great example of people standing together to protect the places they love.
ACF also supports the Quandamooka people’s efforts to secure World Heritage protection for their country.
We will continue to speak out against habitat destruction in the Moreton Bay region, including plans for a development on Toondah Harbour that would destroy critical bird habitat and internationally protected wetlands.
