-- Graham Young Phone: 61 7 3252 1470 W 61 7 3252 1471 F 0411 104 801 M Home Page: http://www.onlineopinion.com.au
Environment and Heritage/Natural Resources, HON. RODNEY WELFORD 29/7/99 Brisbane Land Handed Back to Traditional Owners One of the most significant Aboriginal meeting places in Australia is being returned to its traditional owners following an historic decision by the Beattie Government. Minister for Environment and Heritage and Natural Resources, Rod Welford, today handed a special Deed of Grant in Trust to the Brisbane City Council for a portion of land in Musgrave Park in South Brisbane. "This clears the way for this land to be set aside for Aboriginal cultural purposes and brings to an end a 13-year struggle by the Brisbane Aboriginal community," Mr Welford said during a ceremony at Musgrave Park. "The Brisbane City Council has agreed to provide a special lease to enable the Murri community to establish the 'Brisbane Aboriginal Cultural Centre'. "Facilitating the traditional owners' access to this land was a long-standing ALP commitment and a high priority for the Beattie Government. We foreshadowed this handover 12 months ago. "Musgrave Park has special significance that dates back well before European settlement not only for the local Aboriginal community, but for Aboriginal people throughout Queensland and the rest of Australia. "Brisbane will benefit from a city-based Aboriginal Cultural Centre and we fully support and congratulate the Musgrave Park Committee on their initiative." The section of Musgrave Park reserved for the proposed Cultural Centre is in Cordelia Street, South Brisbane. It includes tennis courts which were once used by Brisbane State High. Mr Welford praised the continued hard work and commitment of the Member for South Brisbane and Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care, Anna Bligh, and Brisbane City Councillor, Tim Quinn to facilitate the handover. The current proposal is supported unanimously by Brisbane City Council, and welcomed by the operators of Southbank, who see benefit in Aboriginal cultural activities occurring in the near vicinity. Further information: Greg Milne on 38963688 or 0417 791 336 29 July, 1999
