Meet the Kooma Traditional Owners Association (KTOAI)
The Kooma Traditional Owners Association (KTOAI) manages around 87,000 hectares of Indigenous Protected Area in Murra Murra and Bendee Downs, located in Queensland’s South-West region where their ancestors have lived and walked for thousands of years.
One of KTOAI’s primary functions is promoting economic development through a range of projects, including Healing Camps and sustainable enterprises. Other goals include facilitating improved health and wellbeing outcomes through cultural strength, maintaining knowledge sharing, and creating education, training and employment opportunities for Kooma people.
Community Aspirations
The community’s goal is to expand the ranger program and develop sustainable enterprises to maximise employment outcomes for Kooma people.
Economic Development Journey
Ross Mitchell, Chair of KTOAI, identifies the key steps in the KTOAI journey below.
2000: KTOAI established as part of the Kooma people acquiring Murra Murra and Bendee Down Station; two adjoining properties acquired with the support of ILSC.
2009: Jamba Dhandan Duringala Indigenous Protected Area granted. Funding provided for a small range of programs.
2014: Recognised as people holding exclusive native title rights to Murra Murra and Bendee Down Station.
2020: Successfully secured funding from QLD Government to conserve a rare and important 2014 burial tree.
2021: Joined CED Program
2022: Registered carbon project with emissions reduction fund.
2023: With support from Many Rivers, KTOAI conducted a full community consultation process to develop the next ten-year IPA plan of management. Successfully secured QLD restoration funding.
2024: Awarded a two year grant from NIAA for the Junior Rangers Program.
Outcomes
“Many Rivers has gone on the journey with us, so it’s been a very, very, very welcoming journey.” Would not be here today without the journey with Many Rivers. The last 12 months has been an awesome journey. Came in at the right time, collaborated with conservation management. Learning curve for all involved. Don’t think we’ve met more awesome people through the transition that we would ever have. Achievements second to none in the current format.”
“Really need to bring the younger ones through and can only do that with strategic direction. If everything comes to fruition, Kooma would be in a very good place. We’re starting to build capacity on country and that’s one of the reasons why we were really happy with Many Rivers giving us a hand with our strategic planning.”– Ross Mitchell, Chair of KTOAI
The future of KTOAI
KTOAI are developing a plan that will expand operations, including management and administrative staff, and a strategic plan and related business plans. In the long term, KTOA intends to participate in carbon farming, cultural tourism and other sustainable enterprises to boost economic growth.
For additional information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kooma-Traditional-Owners-Association
Watch video: https://www.facebook.com/SQLandscapes/videos/1195984421823966
