Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef continue to assert their inherent rights and interests from their continuing connection to Land and Sea Country. As custodians of land and sea, Traditional Owners assert that their special rights and interests extend beyond the definition of ‘stakeholders’.
Reef 2050
The Traditional Owner Implementation Plan outlines actions to achieve Traditional Owners’ aspirations for the Great Barrier Reef as part of the Reef 2050 Plan. The strategic intent of the Traditional Owner Implementation Plan is to empower Traditional Owners and inspire government and industry to actively contribute to protecting the Reef for its cultural and natural values.
It represents a significant departure from a government led planning process to one where Traditional Owners are driving their own priorities for Sea Country management. This departure is acknowledged through the development of a historical timeline and a Traditional Owner Reef narrative.
Planning
Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef are engaged in a variety of programs and projects. Links to some examples are shown below, this is not an exhaustive list.
Planning in the Great Barrier Reef
- The Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC)
- Emerging Issues in Land and Sea Management
- Girringun Region Indigenous Protected Areas Management Plan 2013-2023
- Gunggandji Land and Sea Country Plan
- Mandubarra Sea Country Cultural Values
- PCCC Corporate Plan 2017-2030
- Raine Island NP Scientific Management Statement
Activities in the Great Barrier Reef
- Dabu Jajikal Land and Sea Country Planning Project
- Goondoi Junior Rangers Program
- Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program — Ranger Locations
- Indigenous Protected Areas in Sea Country
- Lama Lama National Park Management Plan
- Wuthathi Caring and Connecting with Land and Culture
- Yuku-Baja Muliku - Archer Point
The Journey
The Journey storyboard takes the viewer through time, starting with the creation of the Great Barrier Reef and moves to the present day where Traditional Owners and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority have shared responsibilities and obligations to maintain a healthy reef for future generations. Traditional Owners come to the table for Sea Country Partnerships with their Lore, customs and heritage values.
© Dr Sue Pillans
The Authority comes to the table for Sea Country Partnerships with:
- Legal instruments through legislation and regulations at the national and international level; and
- A suite of tools for managing the Marine Park in accordance with their legal obligations.
Traditional Owners and the Great Barrier Reef — ‘The Journey’
Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements (TUMRA)
TUMRA groups with websites include:
- Darumbal
- Gidarjil (Port Curtis Coral Coast)
- Wuthathi