Some of you may be aware of the work our corporation has been doing with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) to put a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA) in place regarding the upgrade of the Bruce Highway - Cairns Southern Access Corridor.

The E2G project involves a 10.5km upgrade and duplication of the Bruce Highway. The project is Stage 3 of the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade Master Plan released in 2010. This project will deliver significant safety improvements along this section of the Bruce Highway, which is the busiest two-lane section of the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns.

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) requires that a person must exercise due diligence and reasonable precaution before undertaking an activity which may harm Aboriginal cultural heritage. By entering into a CHMA with DTMR our corporation can continue to make sure that the Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji Peoples’ culture is protected and do its best to minimise any harm that may be caused during the construction of the highway.

The Bruce Highway upgrade is very large project and there are 3 traditional owner groups in total that have cultural interests over parts of it and this is also a really good opportunity for Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji People to be working with other traditional owner groups on cultural heritage matters so that all Aboriginal heritage is protected.

We have been advised that this part of the project is due to commence mid-July 2020.

Should any of our members have any questions regarding this please do not hesitate to contact us.