New ranger accommodation to enhance caring for Country on Mulgumpin

Issued: 30 September 2024

The Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) has built a new ranger facility on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), with support of the Queensland Government.
The new build will provide temporary accommodation for eight QYAC rangers.
Extra accommodation on the island will enhance rangers’ ability to carry out important projects on Country, in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships (QPWS&P).

From this month, Quandamooka Rangers will be able to spend more time on Country caring for one of Queensland’s most iconic Moreton Bay islands thanks to brand new ranger accommodation on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), supported by the Queensland Government.

The $1.29 million new build will allow Quandamooka rangers to stay on the island for longer to deliver important conservation projects.

Quandamooka rangers work closely with their counterparts from QPWS&P to protect the island through cultural heritage management, visitor compliance, planned burn operations, pest management and general park maintenance.

The new accommodation is located next to the QPWS&P ranger base to support joint management and operations of Mulgumpin’s protected areas which are dedicated under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 as Indigenous Joint Management Areas.

Working together with Traditional Owners means this internationally recognised destination will continue to be a key tourist drawcard for its pristine beauty and environmental values, while protecting the island’s cultural significance and the deep connection between Quandamooka People and Country.

Funding for the new facility has been facilitated by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) as part of the Quandamooka joint management arrangements.

The accommodation includes self-contained ensuited rooms for eight rangers and communal kitchen and laundry facilities.

The new temporary accommodation includes off-grid service infrastructure to support the sustainable construction of additional permanent ranger facilities in the future.

Once the future facilities are completed, this new facility will also support the provision of ongoing accommodation for additional short-term visiting ranger teams, QYAC staff and Elders.

The new accommodation will be used by rangers from September 2024 onwards.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation Leanne Linard:

“Despite its proximity to Brisbane, Mulgumpin’s almost untouched environment means it can be challenging to ensure those who care for it have the resources they need to deliver their important projects in line with the joint management arrangements between QPWS&P and the Quandamooka People,” she said.
“By extending the existing QPWS&P ranger base to include extra accommodation for QYAC staff, we are supporting Quandamooka Rangers to stay on Country for longer, making it easier for rangers to care for the island so that it stays beautiful and can be enjoyed by Queenslanders for generations to come.
“The Queensland Government is proud to support the important connection between First Nations people and Country, and projects like this make it easier for Indigenous Rangers to maintain that connection while caring for Country.
“More facilities on the island also helps to improve the management of the area by allowing rangers to carry out more conservation work while reducing the need to ferry back-and-forth or sleep in swags overnight.”

Quote from QYAC Chair Cameron Costello:

“Our QYAC Rangers play an active role caring for Country, managing our land and seas and protecting it for our future generations,” he said.
“As QYAC continues to expand our Ranger workforce, initiatives like this will help retain and recruit new Rangers, who want to become advocates and carers of Country now and into the future.
“We commend the Queensland Government for its ongoing support of our QYAC Rangers.”

Further information:

Quandamooka native title was recognised for Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) on 27 November 2019.

Following native title determination, the Quandamooka People and the QPWS&P entered into a statutory joint management arrangement for the management of Mulgumpin’s national park and recreation area, extending on the successful partnership already in place on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).