Indigenous Land Management in Peri-Urban Landscapes: An Australian Example

• Published in: Society & natural resources Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 335 - 350
• Main Authors: Wilson, Rachele S., Pearce, Tristan, Jones, Kerry, Fleischfresser, Sean, Davis, Bridgette, Jones, Genevieve, Lieske, Scott
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Routledge 04.03.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aboriginal Australians; Case studies; Conservation; Cultural heritage; Cultural resources; Data processing; Decision making; environmental management; exurban; Gubbi Gubbi; Historic sites; Indigenous peoples; Kabi Kabi; Land; Land management; Land titles; Land use planning; Landscape; Native peoples; Nonprofit organizations; Participant observation; Private sector; Socioeconomic factors; Urban environments; urban-rural fringe
• ISSN: 0894-1920; 1521-0723
• DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2017.1383543

This article examines roles, opportunities, and challenges for Indigenous land management in rapidly developing landscapes through a case study of Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation, a not-for-profit organization on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. An analysis of data collected through semistructured interviews, participant observation, and analysis of secondary sources reveals that Aboriginal land managers work in a variety of roles to manage issues affecting the local environment and cultural heritage sites. These efforts are challenged by the absence of Native Title and colonial land management policies, which restrict Aboriginal involvement in land management. We conclude that there is a need for alternative pathways to engage with Aboriginal land managers who cannot, or choose not to, proceed with Native Title. Decolonized decision-making tools and sustainable enterprises are viable opportunities that partially address these challenges and could deliver tangible socio-economic and cultural benefits to local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.