NOTICE OF CONSULTATION
Daintree Ferry Upgrade Project – Decision-making meeting
Cape York United #1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014)
This notice is to advise that Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will facilitate a meeting with those people who hold or may hold Native Title rights and interests within the Cape York United #1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014) (CYU#1) area subject to the Douglas Shire Council (DSC) proposal to undertake works to upgrade the Daintree River ferry crossing infrastructure (the Project).
The Project area (shown in blue on the map below), within the CYU#1 claim area (shown in red on the map below), is proposed to be subject to a Cultural Heritage Agreement (CHMA).
The Project falls within the CYU#1 Native Title claim and the Eastern Kuku Yalanji People #2 Native Title claim (EKY#2) and an area over which Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC) is the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Body, as defined in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld). DSC, JYAC and the Applicant in the CYU#1 and EKY#2 Native Title Claims are proposed as parties to the CHMA.
Works for this project are scheduled to commence on 7 April 2026, and this matter is time sensitive. At this meeting, the terms of a draft CHMA will be tabled for consideration, review and approval, if appropriate.
Details of the meeting are as follows:
Who: People who hold or may hold Native Title rights and interests in the CYU#1 claim within the Project footprint
Date: 1 April 2026
When: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Venue*: Daintree Community Hall – Osborne Street, Daintree QLD 4873
*Video conference facilities will be available upon request.
DSC has proposed the below-listed activities to affect the CYU#1 area:
- Construction of one new lane between Forest Creek Road and the ferry heading west for vehicles approaching the ferry (9.5m expansion of the existing road).
- Construction of one new lane heading east for vehicles exiting the ferry; this lane will merge into the existing lane before Forest Creek Road.
- Construction of a tour bus parking area.
- Formalising the existing carpark beside the existing toilet block.
- Installing signage and speed bumps.
- Expanding the ferry ramp.
- Relocating the existing covered pedestrian shelter to the western side of the ferry ramp.
- Constructing a pedestrian walkway connecting the tour bus parking area with the ferry ramp.
- Installing electrical conduits and a generator shed.
Purpose of this meeting:
The purpose of this meeting is for:
- CYLC to discuss and take information concerning Aboriginal cultural heritage that may be affected by this project;
- CYLC to provide information and seek instructions on the terms of the proposed Cultural Heritage Agreement proposed for this project;
- CYLC to, if appropriate, take instructions in relation to the amendment or authorisation of the Cultural Heritage Agreement.
Representatives of JAC and EKY#2 Applicant will be available at this meeting.
Confirmation of Attendance and attendance by video-conference
Please contact Clementine Rushford to confirm your attendance by Wednesday 25 March 2026 on free call number 1800 623 548 or by crushford@cylc.org.au. This is an important meeting and CYLC will make video-conference facilities available for those who cannot attend in person. Please contact Clementine Rushford if you wish to request the video-conference link to the meeting.
Travel Attendance
CYLC has limited funding available for travel assistance to this meeting. CYLC may be able to provide some assistance, for example fuel reimbursement. CYLC will prioritise assisting Elders and family representatives and will consider how limited funding can be allocated to support a broad representation of the affected Native Title Holders. To make a request for travel assistance please contact Clementine Rushford by Wednesday 25 March 2026 on free call number 1800 623 548 or by crushford@cylc.org.au.
Questions about this meeting or about this notice
If you have any questions about this notice or the meeting, please contact Daniel Barker on free call 1800 623 548 or dbarker@cylc.org.au. If there are any changes to this meeting this will be advised on CYLC’s Facebook page and website.
