The Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC) wishes to inform the community of the recent identification of ancestral remains during works associated with the Pialba Caravan Park upgrade on the Fraser Coast.

During ground disturbance activities, cultural material consistent with ancestral remains was identified. Works were immediately halted in the area, and the appropriate cultural heritage protocols were followed to ensure the site was treated with the utmost respect and care.

As Traditional Owners, the Butchulla people hold a deep and enduring responsibility to care for our ancestors and protect cultural heritage. The discovery serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing presence of our people and the importance of safeguarding cultural places across Country.

BNTAC, through its Cultural Heritage team, has been actively involved in managing the process, working closely with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that all actions align with cultural obligations and legislative requirements. The priority remains the respectful management, protection, and appropriate reburial of the ancestral remains in accordance with Butchulla cultural practices.

This event highlights the importance of cultural heritage monitoring and reinforces the need for ongoing collaboration to ensure that development activities are conducted in a way that recognises and respects the deep cultural history of the Fraser Coast.

BNTAC acknowledges the cooperation shown by those involved in the project and reiterates the importance of immediately reporting any potential cultural heritage findings so they can be properly managed.

We remind our community that these matters are deeply sensitive. Out of respect for our ancestors and their descendants, further details will not be publicly disclosed.

BNTAC remains committed to protecting Butchulla cultural heritage and ensuring that our ancestors are cared for with dignity, now and into the future.