The effect of the surrounding environment on the community:
• Cyclones are a very common natural hazard in Palm Island. In March 1997 Cyclone Justin passed over the Cairns coastline and remained near Palm Island causing a great deal of flash flooding. This particular cyclone peeked at a category 4 cyclone and caused significant damage in the Cairns region during the 3.5 weeks in which it existed.
The impact of the community on the surrounding environment:
• There are several brumbies (a type of wild horse) on the island. Many of them have been found tortured, starved to death, and beaten by teenagers. This is seen as a real problem on the island and a local Aboriginal, Wayne Coolwell, has been quoted saying “I don't like to accuse my own people of things like this, but it's self-evident … and cruelty is cruelty, and when you see the photographs and you hear the stories, there's obviously a real problem on that island.”
Causes and evidence of change in the society:
• In the 1999 edition of the Guinness world book of records, it was recorded that Palm Island was the most violent place outside of a combat zone in the whole world. This sparked much controversy as the murder rate was 15 times worse than that of the rest of Queensland and a life expectancy of about 40 years. These figures were argued against strongly by the Queensland Government as they demanded it was too high. However, the Queensland Aboriginal Policy Minister, Judy Spence, said that Palm Island can be violent at times, especially for women and children, but they were working on fixing this by increasing patrol. Since that time, the murder rate has dropped significantly.
Explain one issue currently affecting the interactions between the environment and the community:
• Native title is one issue affecting the interactions between the community and environment. The native title (indigenous owners) of the land is a grey area in the law. These native title claims do not apply to most people as they are not original residents of the land. Free hold title does not apply either; most land is controlled by the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire council.
• A basic three-bedroom house costs approximately $350,000 - 400,000 to build on Palm Island, not including sewerage, power, phone, etc. Federal minister Mal Brough has stated that building prices in Aboriginal communities are over-inflated and can normally be done at half the cost. Most businesses are owned by the Council and land title restrictions hinder private investment; approval to build a house or start a business can take up to three years.
• There is much frustration with the land title system. Making housing private is said to be the best way for residents of Palm Island to move forward. Noel Pearson (Cape York institute for policy and leadership) has argued that the degradation of houses (there have been many house repairs from 1999-2007) in these communities is due to overcrowding and poor construction more than poor tenancy. However, he added that indigenous people generally treat houses better when they have had some hand in building or maintaining the house, rather than being given the house “on a plate” with little to no involvement.
• The traditional ownership of the Manbarra people also complicates the debate about the Palm Island land title. There is no actual registered title and only 7 of the original owners are still on the island, however, this may be a valid claim. Professor Dodson argues that the historical international experience is that once communal title is extinguished then the indigenous people lose the land permanently. Minister Brough argues that 100-year leases will not extinguish Native Title over the land.
• The former state Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Warren Pitt, in 2007 said that all parties have matured since Native Title was introduced and can recognize that while the issues are complex, the betterment of Aboriginal people can be realised. Also, the Queensland government has claimed that it is an incredibly complex matter and will therefore not be influenced by the federal government.
The future of the community and surrounding environments:
• Palm Island Future Foundation, one of the many foundations currently helping the people of Palm Island, believe the future is ours to make and we see Palm being a prosperous and healthy small community, with high end, world standard eco-tourism and indigenous tourism as the basis to this success. They also see the potential in aquaculture as a commercial industry on the island, supplying a bounty of fresh seafood and ensuring the sustainability of traditional food sources in the wild for Palm Islanders.
• This foundation has many views on land, housing and development. In terms of land, as quoted by their website, “When the Howard Government recently announced it would be implementing changes to the land tenure of Aboriginal Land, many people were worried. Many people on Palm Island still are ... As there is a low level of education and poor literacy in the community, there is an obvious need to ensure as many public and community forums and meetings are held, as well as presentation of written information. ”
• Their views on housing are also discussed on their website, “In a nutshell, housing on Palm Island is all government owned, aside from a handful of houses that have been built by individuals, and between 50 - 80 family camps, which take various forms, including basic tin-shed type ‘houses’, and some creative architecture! Camps are sometimes lived in full time, other times, used for respite from community overcrowding, or for camping and weekends.” Following this, they state their plan of action, which is basically to reallocate the council’s housing budget.
• Finally, the Palm Island future foundation also states its views on development, which are as follows, “The community of Palm Island has some basic infrastructure, roads, waste treatment and water facilities, however these are mostly poorly maintained, below current State or National standards, inefficient, or in the case of the water treatment facility, in the flood zone and thus in the wrong spot!!”. The foundation also claims that by improving this, more jobs will be provided, which in turn will take away from the violent and abusive nature of the community.
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Island,_Queensland
http://www.ozoutback.com.au/postcards/postcards_forms/qld_islands/index.htm
http://www.bwgcolman.com/