Facts matter to our community

Published on 21 February 2025

Goondiwindi Regional Council recognises there are new concerns regarding native title and land transfer in the Toobeah community.  

The Council acknowledges and condemns the deliberate spreading of misinformation about this issue. 

An independent investigation was undertaken to assess Council’s role in these matters. The evidence is clear that Council has and does follow the proper legal processes set by the State and Federal governments.  

The misleading information being shared online contains false information, baseless accusations and attempts to combine unrelated issues. These are deliberate actions to create confusion, fear and uncertainty in our community. This misinformation specifically includes claiming the misuse of Council funds. Claims of Council spending $250,000 on this matter are false. 

The recent Federal Court decision (Bigambul People #5 claim - published 6 February 2025) does not relate to Toobeah.  The Bigambul People Native Title determinations that were settled in the Federal Court in 2016 and 2017, remain unchanged. Council was not involved in the application to the Federal Court to strike out the Bigambul People #5 claim. Council also did not incur any expenses in respect of this application. 

The Bigambul People #5 claim relates to an unresolved Native Title claim area, not in Toobeah, that is currently being contested between two traditional owner groups.  In relation to this broader claim, Council is listed as an interested party to protect the community’s interest e.g. gravel pits in the area.  For this broader claim Council has incurred legal fees of around $6,000, nowhere in the vicinity of the erroneous claim of $250,000. 

If any resident is seeking additional information or clarification of an issue, we encourage them to make contact with Goondiwindi Regional Council directly and find out the facts.