A new home for growth – Prominent Land Council moves into new HQ

Queensland’s largest Native Title Representative Body has officially opened the doors to its new permanent base in Gimuy (Cairns), Far North Queensland.

Cape York Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CYLC) have relocated into their new office, with help from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), who provided over $3.5m in funding.

The new building, named Karwoppa Yunkaporta, will provide Traditional Owners and the land council staff with a modern and secure working environment, boosting CYLC’s operations across Cape York.

The Cape York region is a significant meeting place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – who hold an intimate knowledge of their lands and waters, flora and fauna, seasons and weather.

This extends to CYLC, who are inseparable from the determination of the Wik people and other Cape York leaders who mobilised their communities in the early years of the land rights movement.

In 1991, Wik leaders travelled hundreds of kilometres over dusty, corrugated roads to attend a landmark Land Summit at Lockhart River, building a united movement for Aboriginal land rights across Cape York.

The Wik people then went on to lodge Queensland's first mainland native title claim, putting Cape York at the centre of the national movement for Aboriginal land rights.

Over three decades later, native title has been recognised across more than 90 per cent of Cape York, marking one of the most significant achievements in the Aboriginal land rights movement.

This was a breakthrough for the local Indigenous community. Greater native title rights create opportunities for Traditional Owners to pursue their aspirations for Country and culture.

For many Cape York families, Country is their principal asset in building an economic future. This is why the next chapter of CYLC's work will be to help Traditional Owners translate their hard-won land rights into meaningful economic participation, enterprise, employment and opportunity.

Central to that ambition is ensuring the next generation has the education, skills and capabilities to participate in the modern economy, including higher rates of Year 12 completion and employment.

For the past 25 years, CYLC has operated from its previous Cairns location. However, with over 40 multi-disciplinary staff, the previous building has been outgrown.

CYLC’s new headquarters will enable CYLC to expand its services, deliver native title outcomes through new and existing claims, negotiate mining and other commercial agreements and mitigate impacts on native title, while responding to the growing demand for Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) support.

CYLC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richie Ah Mat, said for the first time in CYLC’s history, they have a permanent home which will embrace CYLC’s next chapter.

“Thirty-five years ago, our old people established the Cape York Land Council because they knew that the future of their children and grandchildren depended on securing their rights to their traditional lands.

“Francis Yunkaporta was one of those great leaders. He was a charismatic and formidable advocate for his people and for Cape York. Naming this building in his honour is a reminder of the determination, courage and vision of the people who built this organisation.

“They fought to secure our land rights. Our responsibility now is to make sure those rights deliver real opportunities for the generations coming behind us,” said Mr Ah Mat.

ILSC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joe Morrison, said the ILSC’s role is to return Country to First Nations communities, to support them in their journeys towards self-determination.

“This building is more than just an office – it’s a space that will empower CYLC staff, and Traditional Owners, to move with confidence into the future while championing prospects for their communities.

“This stand alone, dedicated office will provide broader visibility of Cape York Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their work as a whole. This project is another example of the ILSC’s purpose being realised,” said Mr Morrison.

The CYLC office is located at 5 Mount Koolmoon Street Smithfield 4878 on the traditional Country of the Djabugay Peoples.