There are 4 Traditional Owner groups in the Southern Tablelands Local Landscape, as shown in the image to the right. See below for a brief description of each group’s connection to country or click on the links to access contact details for these groups.
- Bar-Barrum – Mbarbarum and Bar-Barrum Aboriginal Corporations have been established to administer the Native Title determinations of the Bar-Barrum People. Native Title rights have been granted over land and waters on the Atherton Tableland in and around the Walsh River and to the west of the Wild River.
- Choorechillum (Ngadjon-ji) – hold native title rights over land and waters in parts of the Wooroonooran National Park, Topaz Road National Park, Malanda Falls Conservation Park and two quarry reserves. Ngadjon-jii also have registered ILUAs over much of this Native Title area and the group is the registered Cultural Heritage Body for these areas.
- Wabubadda (Jirrbal) – The Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation has been established as the Prescribed Body Corporate for the Jirrbal people. Native Title rights have been granted over traditional land and waters in and around the townships of Ravenshoe and Herberton. See the case study below for more information about this group and the projects they are involved with.
- Wadjanbarra Tableland Yidinji – the Wadjanbarra Tableland Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation administers land on behalf of the Tableland Yidinji People. Their Native Title Determination covers areas around Tinaroo Dam, in parts of Danbulla State Forest and National Park, as well as areas around Lake Barrine and Tolga.
Traditional Owner groups across the Wet Tropics
For more Local Cultural Connections showing Traditional Owner groups in locations across the Wet Tropics, please click on the local landscape below.
Traditional Owner Case Studies
Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation
Wabubadda was successful in obtaining a WTMA/Terrain grant to build capacity by giving Jirrbal people the opportunity to gain skills to work on country and also to be recognised and respected as an active partner in the Wet tropics region.
The project provides training to participants to use GPS devices and mapping to identify the location of cultural sites and walking tracks. The Jirrbal participants are proud and passionate about their culture and country and look forward to working on country.
Wabubadda’s vision is to inspire and empower Jirrbal people as Traditional Owners:
- To take responsibility for ongoing management of Jirrbal Country;
- To be strong in culture and identity;
- To achieve control over their economic future;
- To derive economic benefits from Country by working together; and
- To be recognised and respected as an active partner in the region.