By Amelia Willmer
The Mayor of Southern Downs Regional Council Vic Pennisi was asked to comment on the Native Title Claimants’ belief that he and the council had a deliberate policy to disregard Traditional Owners until their Native Title Claim succeeded.
He was also asked why the council did not consult Traditional Owners regarding the concreting of the gorge river crossings, and why they were not included in the Working Group whose final meeting was chaired by Cr Pennisi in 2021.
Cr Pennisi has advised: “The council has no policy to disregard any native title claims.
“Council will engage with the Native Title Claimants as appropriate while the claim is being processed and, if successful, after a determination has been made.”
He said Monday’s meeting in Warwick with Traditional Owners and their lawyers, which he did not attend, had been very productive, and that further details would be provided in a media release in due course.
“Council has followed all statutorily required processes and will continue to do so,” he said.
“Council is a process driven organisation and it will continue to follow due process every time.
“If for some reason a process falls short, this council has shown to take ownership of the problem and endeavours to act swiftly and work collaboratively with expert consultants, agencies and stakeholders until we get it right.
“No one was excluded from the advertised community consultation process and Council’s specialist consultants made everyone feel welcome and encouraged participation from every sphere.
“Participation would have been welcomed from members of the Native Title Claimants as it was from other sectors of the community.”
