Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation for the Yalingbila Bibula Whale Interpretive Centre at Point Lookout. Community objection and petition against the designation was not sufficiently considered, including opposition by many local Sovereign First Nation residents for whom the headland including proposed site is sacred Aboriginal men’s site and culturally disrespectful to publicly display the skeletal remains of a whale. Construction on the proposed site will be contrary to the Federal Court’s Consent Determination in 2011 recognising non-exclusive native title rights over the subject land area which did not include a right to build. The criteria for deciding a designation have not been satisfied.

The community was informed the centre was not a commercial enterprise and it would be situated on a small part of grassed area. In reality, it appears the centre may be used for commercial purposes (including private event hire) and is located on a large area resulting in the removal of vegetation.

It was asserted that parking and road networks surrounding the centre are sufficient. In reality, the area surrounding the centre experiences parking overflow during peak periods.

We believe the designation requirements are unsatisfactory. In particular, requirement 5(c) doesn’t sufficiently address mitigation of impacts on fauna including kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. Similarly, requirement 7(a) does not sufficiently address mitigation of impacts on fauna including nesting turtles and hatchlings.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to repeal the decision granting the designation.