Hello Mandandanji community members. We, your Board of Directors, are committed to keeping you informed and involved in Mandandanji business. In this update, we want to share important developments and plans, and explain how we are strengthening our governance and working towards a brighter future for our people. Transparency and engagement are our top priorities. We hope this newsletter helps you understand what’s happening and why it matters.
We have launched a Governance Renewal Project to improve how Mandandanji is managed and run. Over the years. our community faced some challenges in decisionmaking and handling of funds. In the past. the Federal Court even intervened to protect our native title funds. This showed that we needed stronger, fairer governance structures.
By renewing our governance, we aim to build trust, ensure accountability. and make sure all families have a voice in important decisions. We are reviewing our rules, strengthening financial oversight, and adopting best practices of corporate and community governance. This will help prevent past issues from repeating and will set us up for long-term success. We want a Mandandanji organization that truly serves its people with integrity, transparency. and unity.
As part of looking forward, we are developing a Future Development Plan (FDP) – a roadmap for Mandandanji’s growth and self-sufficiency. This plan includes three key parts:
Together, these plans form the FDP, which is essentially our community’s blueprint for the next 5-10 years. We will beconsulting with you as these plans take shape, so your ideas and feedback can guide our future direction.
It’s important to reflect on how far we’ve come and the lessons learned along the way. Mandandanji’s native title journey was a long and difficult one. Our people first filed native title claims in the late 1990s. After years of legal proceedings – and several overlapping claims – the Federal Court made a final determination in 2018 that native title does not exist in our claim area. This negative determination was a disappointment, as it meant we did not gain formal native title recognition over our traditional lands around Roma, Surat, St George and beyond.
However, the journey did bring our community together in new ways. In 2010, Mandandanji limited was established to represent us in agreements and manage benefits. In 2011, we signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with QGC Pty Ltd (now Shell QGC) related to the Queensland Curtis LNG Project. That ILUA provided jobs, cultural heritage protection measures, and a benefits package for our people. It also taught us the value of having a united voice when negotiating with companies.
After the native title case ended in 2018, we did not give up. We still have our identity as Mandandanji people, and we still have obligations to look after country and culture.
Mandandanji limited continued as a key organization for pursuing our rights and opportunities. We have focused on cultural heritage work, employment programs, and community development. We also recognized the need to reform our internal governance (hence the Governance Renewal Project mentioned earlier) to avoid the conflicts of the past.
This journey since the determination has made one thing clear: good governance and strong community unity are essential. With them, we can still achieve many of the aspirations that a native title determination was meant to deliver – like protecting culture, gaining economic independence, and asserting our role on country – even if via different pathways.
In another positive development, the Queensland State Government has announced plans to transfer a parcel of land back to the Mandandanji people under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (ALA). The land, known as Lot 334 on SP32862g and currently held by the Maranoa Regional Council. is set to become Mandandanji land. This transfer is essentially a return of country – a significant recognition of our connection to the land and a step toward reclaiming ownership of our traditional areas.
We want to explain why this is important. Getting land back through the ALA means the land will be granted as Aboriginal freehold title, to be held by our community. It is a form of land justice and an opportunity for us to decide how that land can benefit our people into the future. Preparations are already underway for the transfer process. There are legal and administrative steps to complete, but we are working closely with the relevant agencies to make sure everything is in order.
However. once the land is officially ours. the big question will be: what do we do with lot 334? This is where we will be seeking your ideas and guidance. The Board will not make this decision alone. We will hold community consultations to discuss the best use of Lot 334. Some ideas that have been suggested include:
These are just possibilities. We want to hear from as many Mandandanji members as possible about your vision for this land. No decision will be made without broad community input.
Throughout this process, we will maintain full transparency. All information about lot 334 – such as its location, size, and any opportunities or constraints – will be shared openly. And just as importantly, the final decision on how to use the land will be made with the community’s agreement. This approach reflects our commitment to engagement and good governance. By working together on planning for Lot 334, we can ensure that this land return delivers real benefits and pride for current and future generations of Mandandanji people.
One major ongoing partnership is with Shell QGC, the company operating gas developments in our region. Even after the ILUA with QGC was deregistered, we have remained engaged with Shell QGC to ensure they work with respect for our land and provide benefits to our people.
In recent years, Shell’s QGC business has been working on a Tight Gas Sands ( TGS) Project in the Surat/Bowen Basin. Mandandanji Cultural Heritage Services has been heavily involved in this project. Our cultural heritage teams have conducted work area clearances and cultural heritage surveys to protect sacred sites and artefacts before any drilling or construction. This not only safeguards our heritage; it also creates jobs for our field officers and elders, and builds our reputation as a trusted partner in resource projects.
Shell QGC has acknowledged our contribution. In fact, our enterprises (MCHS and Bullaroo) have been recognized as leading examples of Indigenous suppliers in the gas industry. We have members employed in Shell QGC’s operations and others who have gone through training programs supported by QGC. This collaboration – from cultural heritage management to employment initiatives – shows how a respectful partnership can lead to mutual benefits.
Going forward, we are negotiating a new agreement with Shell QGC to formalize this ongoing relationship. With the ILUA no longer in place, we are pursuing an Indigenous Relationship Agreement (IRA). The IRA will outline how Mandandanji and Shell QGC work together on all current and future activities on our country. It will cover things like continued cultural heritage protection measures, job and training guarantees, business opportunities for Mandandanji companies, and community investments.
We will ensure this new agreement addresses past shortcomings and reflects our community’s needs today. We are committed to consulting you on the terms of this IRA before anything is finalized – your input is critical so that we get it right.
In addition to the TGS project, Shell QGC is about to start a new phase of work in our area, known as a seismic acquisition program. Many people may not be familiar with the term, so we want to explain it clearly. Seismic acquisition (or seismic surveying) is an exploration technique used in the oil and gas industry to find gas deposits underground. Essentially, it involves sending controlled vibrations into the ground and measuring the echoes – kind of like taking an ultrasound of the earth. By analyzing these echoes, geologists can map what’s under the surface and identify where pockets of gas might be located.
This upcoming seismic survey is a unique and time-sensitive opportunity for Mandandanji. The seismic program will only take place for a limited time, and during that period Shell QGC will need workers, services, and various support. We see this as a chance for our people to secure jobs, training, and business contracts connected to the project. If we act quickly and strategically, we can make sure that Mandandanji members are involved in this work and benefit from it directly.
The Board has directed research into all possible opportunities that could come with the seismic phase. This includes:
Our goal is not only to gain short-term work, but to turn this into longer-term benefits. The experience and skills gained during the seismic project could lead to ongoing jobs with Shell QGC or other companies in the future. for our community.
As always, we will keep you informed as things develop. We are in communication with Shell QGC to understand the timeline and requirements for the seismic program. Once we have more details, we will share them and possibly hold information sessions specifically about this opportunity. And just like with any major initiative, we will seek your input on our plans to maximize community benefits from the seismic project. ( The Economic Development Plan we mentioned earlier will be key to this.)
In summary, the seismic acquisition phase represents an exciting prospect for Mandandanji – but only if we prepare and work together to seize it. The Board is committed to doing the groundwork now (researching opportunities, talking with Shell, organizing training) so that when the seismic trucks roll out on country, our people are ready to be a part of it. By acting transparently and involving the community every step of the way, we aim to turn this short- term project into long-term positive outcomes for our people.
We are also excited about a new opportunity with Equis, an international infrastructure developer. Equis (Equis Development Pte. Ltd.) is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading infrastructure development companies, with a focus on renewable energy projects. They are planning a major project in our region – a renewable energy park. For this project, we are working towards a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA) with Equis.
A CHMA is a formal agreement that sets out how cultural heritage will be protected during a project. It is essentially a joint, “free, prior and informed consent” agreement – meaning both the company and the Traditional Owners agree on measures to avoid or manage impacts to heritage. We, the Mandandanji, will survey the land with our knowledge holders to identify any sacred sites, objects, or stories linked to that area. The CHMA with Equis will ensure that if the project proceeds, those heritage values are respected – whether by altering the project design to avoid important places, or by closely monitoring any ground disturbance.
This is not just about protecting the past; it’s also about creating future benefits. As part of the CHMA discussions, we also want to talk to Equis about community benefits like employment, training, and possibly even equity in the project. We want to see Mandandanji people trained to work on renewable energy projects (for example, as environmental monitors, construction workers, or administrators) and we will seek community investment (such as scholarships or funding for cultural programs). Equis has expressed a willingness to work with us on a long-term basis, and we are hopeful this partnership will bring positive outcomes. We will share more information about Equis and their project at the upcoming community meetings, so you can ask questions and give your views before any agreement is signed.
Who is Equis? – Equis is a large infrastructure investment firm founded in 2019, focusing on energy projects in Australia, Japan, and other countries. They have built renewable energy projects like wind farms, solar farms, and battery storage facilities in various places. It’s encouraging to see big companies like this wanting to engage with Traditional Owners. We will ensure they understand our expectations for respecting culture and giving back to community as part of doing business on Mandandanji lands.
We are proud to share that Mandandanji will soon sign a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA) with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads ( TMR). This agreement is scheduled to be signed on 12 August, and it will be the first CHMA that TMR has ever entered into. It will apply to TMR’s activities on Mandandanji country and builds on the very positive, respectful working relationship we already have with TMR.
We commend TMR for the genuine commitment it has shown to its cultural heritage responsibilities in our dealings so far. By entering this CHMA, TMR is embedding that respectful approach into its future infrastructure planning and project delivery on our lands. Whenever TMR plans a road or any works here, cultural heritage will now be considered from the very start – with agreed processes for Traditional Owners to be involved in surveys and decisions. This is a major step forward in protecting culture on Country and making sure our heritage is safeguarded as part of every project.
For our community, this agreement reinforces the way we want to do business: with transparency, good governance, and cultural responsibility at the forefront. We will implement the CHMA in an open and accountable way, keeping you informed about how it works in practice. By formalizing our partnership with TMR, we are upholding our responsibility to care for Country while also ensuring that a government agency works hand-in-hand with us to respect our culture. We look forward to officially signing this historic agreement on 12 August and continuing our strong relationship with TMR for the benefit of our people.
One of our core goals is to achieve economic independence for Mandandanji. A key way to do this is by building our commercial capacity – our ability to run successful businesses that provide jobs and income for our people. The Board is actively exploring Joint Ventures (JVs) as a strategy to grow this capacity.
What is a Joint Venture? It’s basically a partnership where Mandandanji teams up with another company to undertake a specific business or project together. In a JV, we share ownership, risks, and profits with our partner. For example, Mandandanji Enterprises might form a JV with an established construction firm to bid for a big contract in our region. Mandandanji could own a percentage of the JV, meaning we get part of the profits while our partner provides mentorship, capital, and industry know-how.
Benefits of JVs: Joint ventures allow us to participate in industries that would be hard to break into alone. By partnering with experienced companies, we learn on the job – our people gain skills in management, operations, and technical areas by working alongside experts. Over time, this builds our own capacity to run similar projects independently. JVs also spread the risk; we are not solely responsible for finances or liabilities, which protects our community’s assets while still allowing us to benefit. Importantly, JVs can create direct employment for Mandandanji members and subcontracting opportunities for other Indigenous businesses.
We have already seen some success through partnerships. Our collaboration with Shell QGC can be viewed as a form of joint venture that helped create Mandandanji Cultural Heritage Services, which now operates professionally in the region. We want to replicate that model in other sectors. Currently, we are looking at potential JVs in areas like civil construction and environmental services. For instance, we might partner with a roadworks company to form an Indigenous JV. Each venture means more skills transfer and confidence for our people.
The Board is careful to evaluate any JV opportunity to ensure it’s in our best interest. We consider questions like:
Only if the answers to these questions are positive do we proceed. We are confident that with the right partners, JVs will be a stepping stone to Mandandanji self-reliance in the commercial world.
As an Indigenous community, we uphold the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in all dealings that affect our people and country. FPIC is internationally recognized as a best- practice process to safeguard Indigenous rights. In simple terms, it means that our community has the right to be properly informed about any project or decision affecting us, that we have the freedom to discuss and decide without coercion, and that this happens before any approvals or activities start.
We want to explain how Mandandanji is putting FPIC into action:
By embedding FPIC in our processes, we are honoring our ancestors’ legacy and our people’s rights. In the past, decisions were sometimes made without full community knowledge or consent – we are determined not to let that happen again. Practicing FPIC leads to better outcomes: agreements that the community truly supports and projects that proceed with our blessing, minimizing conflicts down the line.
Finally, we want to make clear our commitment to ongoing engagement and transparency. Communication is a two-way street: we will keep sharing information, and we ask you to keep giving us your thoughts and feedback. Here are the upcoming opportunities to get involved:
Throughout all this, we pledge to remain transparent. That means:
In conclusion, we are excited and optimistic about Mandandanji’s future. Yes, there have been setbacks and hard lessons, but we are turning those into positive action. By renewing our governance, planning for the future, partnering with industry in the right way, and – above all – engaging you, the Mandandanji people, every step of the way, we can achieve our shared goals. We thank you for reading this update. Please stay tuned for the confirmed dates of the upcoming meetings in July and Sept/Oct. We look forward to sitting down together, listening, and talking through all these important matters.
Your Directors remain at your service. Transparency, engagement, and good governance will guide us as we walk this journey together.
