North Queensland coal seam gas pipeline project wins reconciliation award

摘要

Nine indigenous groups and the North Queensland Gas Pipeline Project group have won a significant reconciliation award for reaching three native title agreements, confirming the positive impact native title negotiations have on relationship-building. The North Queensland Gas Pipeline Alliance project was selected from four finalists to win a Queensland Government Reconciliation Award for Business in the 'Joint Ventures' category. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie presented the award to representatives of the groups and the project general manager, Mr. Graeme Hogarth of Enertrade, at an awards ceremony in Brisbane last week. The groups negotiated for 14 months to develop three indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs) which enabled the North Queensland Gas Pipeline Project Group to construct a 370 km gas pipeline from Moranbah to Townsville while ensuring protection for the nine indigenous groups' cultural heritage. A cultural heritage management plan was also developed during the process. The groups include the Jangga, Wiri, Wullgurukaka, Juru, Barada Barna Kabalbara and Yetimarla, Bindal, Birri and Kudjala peoples and the inland Nebo Group.