Kaanju families living on homelands recognise the potential of our lands for economic development. However this is only if such development is left entirely under our management and control. We aim to benefit directly from third-party users through the regulation of tourism and visitation by establishing designated campgrounds, a registration or permit system for camping and charging camping fees. Steps will be taken to prevent access to other areas entirely (such as significant sites) by erecting signs and barriers, and the patrol of Kaanju land management officers (see Protection of Historical, Social, Cultural and Spiritually Significant Sites).
In November 2002, with the assistance of Balkanu Business Hubs, the Chuulangun community developed a tourism business plan, Chuulangun Traditional Aboriginal Camp Ground Proposal. The proposed venture is based on the following land management issue.
For some time now, Kaanju homelands have been utilised for camping by tourists and other holidaymakers most often with no permission from us let alone payment for the privilege to camp on our land. Furthermore, this unregulated, zero-cost camping has resulted in other undesirable aspects such as excessive waste, disregard to the natural environment through destruction of native vegetation, little regards to Aboriginal cultural sites and exploitation of native flora and fauna (e.g. fishing from lagoons and rivers).
It is proposed that for a fee the following will be provided:
- Designated camp areas and facilities for tourists travelling through Kaanju homelands.
- Complimentary services to tourists staying at these sites (e.g. fire wood for camp fires).
- Tourist services and activities for tourists who may not be staying in the area of Chuulangun (e.g. guided tours).
As part of the proposal it is planned that picnic and rest stops, scenic look-out points and walking tracks will be established at designated places in order to regulate people's access to and use of our homelands. Interpretive and educational material will be provided at these points to inform people about our relationship with our homelands and our land management activities.
The Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation has received a grant from the Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation's Indigenous Business Development Grant Scheme (IBDGS) for the establishment of campgrounds infrastructure at Chuulangun. The low-impact campgrounds will be established in close vicinity to the beautiful Wenlock River.
Information about campgrounds registration will be available on our website when the campgrounds are completed and open to tourists and other visitors to Kaanju Homelands.
