Butchulla Country & Community

About BNTAC

Butchulla Country (land, sea and sky) and Community

Butchulla Country (land, sea and sky) is situated in the Fraser Coast region of Queensland, encompassing a diverse and culturally significant landscape that includes land, sea, and sky. The Butchulla people have maintained a profound connection to this ancient and sacred territory, cherishing its unique natural features and the rich cultural heritage embedded within. This connection extends to K’gari (Fraser Island), a place of immense importance within Butchulla Country and to Butchulla people.

The heart of Butchulla Country (land, sea and sky) lives in its people and the mind-body-spirt connection we have with Country on the mainland and K’gari. The majority of the Butchulla community has spread across various cities and towns on the Fraser Coast such as Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

The Butchulla People’s deeply grounded connection to our Country is reinforced by the Native Title determination granted to us in December 2019. This landmark legal decision recognised the existence of Native Title across an extensive area covering 1805.0334 square kilometres within Butchulla Country.

In the eyes of the Butchulla people, every element of our Country holds profound cultural and spiritual significance. The land, the sea, the sky, and all the living creatures that inhabit this region are integral to their cultural identity and traditions. They have ancestral stories, song lines and practices that are deeply intertwined with the natural environment, and these stories play a vital role in the preservation and understanding of our culture.

Butchulla Country, similar to other First Nation’s Country and regions across Australia, is rich in biodiversity and environmental value. It boasts a diverse range of terrestrial and marine landscapes, unique flora and fauna species, and nationally recognised wetlands. The ecological features within this region are exceptional, with many being endemic to the area.

As a custodian of this remarkable environment, the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC) is committed to preserving, protecting, and promoting the cultural and natural heritage of Butchulla Country. BNTAC actively engages with the Butchulla community, working groups, committees, and the Butchulla Elders Committee to ensure that our cultural heritage remains vibrant and robust for future generations.

In alignment with our values of respect, governance, education, trustworthiness, sustainability, leadership, language, and partnerships, BNTAC seeks to safeguard traditional decision-making processes, Butchulla Lore, and Culture as the cornerstone of our organisation. We work in partnership with the local community, government agencies, social enterprises, and various stakeholders to provide Native Title services that enhance the wellness, wellbeing, and quality of life for the Butchulla people.

Native Title Determination Outcome

Butchulla People Land & Sea Claim #2

Cronin on behalf of the Butchulla People (land & sea claim #2) v State of Queensland QCD2019/008

Native title exists in the entire determination area – 1805.0334 km2