Queensland government considers the future of Toobeah Reserve

Goondiwindi Regional Council is currently the Trustee of several Queensland government crown land parcels in Toobeah, locally referred to as the Toobeah Reserve; this includes local water infrastructure critical to the town of Toobeah and the stock route network.

As Trustee, Council has effectively been a property manager only of the Toobeah Reserve. Council has no rights to the land, and permission is required from the Queensland government for any activity or change of purpose to the land.

The Queensland government has been assessing options for the Toobeah Reserve to be transferred to the local traditional owner group for approximately four years. 

Council advises residents that this is a state-led process. There have been restrictions placed on Council by the Queensland government regarding our capacity to share details of the negotiations, meaning we are unable to undertake consultation on a state-led process.

It is important to note that in 2016, the Federal Court of Australia made a Native Title Determination that recognises the cultural importance of this site, and others in our region, to the traditional owners. Therefore, there is already an underlying established Native Title Determination on the Toobeah Reserve, as proven in the courts, and the issue currently being considered by the State is the future management of the Toobeah Reserve.

Indigenous land tenure of crown land is complicated and comes with conditions, including the requirement that all development complies with existing state and local laws, such as Town Planning approvals.

At the January 2024 Ordinary Meeting, Council recognised the limitations on our input in this process as Trustees, in the interest of securing a favourable outcome Council confirmed the following requests as our response to the State:

• Easement access guaranteed to Council for essential town water infrastructure;
• Suitable alternate confirmed for retaining the stock route network;
• Adjacent Queensland government land, suitable for new residential lots, be transferred to Council as freehold to provide future growth opportunities for Toobeah; and
• The State undertakes public consultation and/or information sessions with the community.

Throughout these negotiations Goondiwindi Regional Council has remained consistent in our commitment to securing the urban water supply for Toobeah residents, encouraging urban expansion opportunities within Toobeah and encouraging public engagement by the State.

Goondiwindi Regional Council representatives will be available for further discussion on Monday, 12 February, at the Toobeah Kindergarten from 6.30 pm.