Indigenous
Ipswich, which is known traditionally in the Yagara language as Tulmur, has been home to Aboriginal people since before the beginnings of recorded European settlement. Aboriginal peoples owned, had sovereignty over and cultivated the lands, waters, flora and fauna of Ipswich. Aboriginal peoples mapped the terrain and the stars, made laws and held Government and maintained their connection to their country through song, dance, language and stories.
Ipswich City Council acknowledges the ongoing challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises the importance of community and government coming together to achieve the best outcomes for the Ipswich community.
Indigenous Accord
The Indigenous Accord 2026-2031(PDF, 10MB) (The Accord) is council's strategic commitment to advancing reconciliation and strengthening relationships, opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Ipswich. It provides a clear framework to guide decision-making, strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Accord builds on three decades of reconciliation efforts in Ipswich. As the city continues to grow and diversify, it renews council's commitment to culturally informed decision-making, self determination and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices help shape the future of Ipswich.
The Accord was adopted by Ipswich City Council 27 August 2026, marking the next chapter in Council's reconciliation journey and reaffirming its commitment to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to create a more inclusive and connected Ipswich.
Reconciliation at Ipswich City Council
Council’s reconciliation journey spans nearly three decades and continues to evolve — from early recognition to an organisation-wide commitment embedded in everyday practice.
Key milestones include:
1995 – Inaugural Engagement. The initial Indigenous Accord development was recognised nationally at the Australian Reconciliation Award (Government Category) in May 1997 and at the Queensland Local Government Excellence Awards.
1999 – 2001 Inaugural Accord. Established Council’s formal commitment to reconciliation and respectful engagement.
2015–2018 Second Indigenous Accord implemented. Strengthened cultural recognition, shared responsibility and collaborative governance.
2020–2025 Indigenous Accord delivered - Integrated reconciliation into core business through partnerships and targeted actions.
2026–2031 Building on nearly three decades of commitment, this Accord sets a clear, organisation-wide direction to embed reconciliation through accountable leadership, meaningful partnerships and culturally informed practice.
Indigenous Accord Artwork - Connecting Tulmur
Connecting Tulmur was commissioned by Ipswich City Council for the Indigenous Accord 2026–2031 to reflect Council, the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the broader Ipswich community.
Ipswich Aboriginal artist, Rhan Hooper, was engaged to develop the piece. Drawing on the stories, knowledge and connections to Country shared by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Working Group, alongside conversations about what Ipswich means to its people and the work undertaken by Council, Rhan transformed these ideas into the artwork Connecting Tulmur.
Each element of the artwork has a specific meaning:
The first element represents the Bremer River, known as Ngararar, which flows through the heart of Ipswich.
The Yarning Circles represent gatherings held on Country/Tulmur, extending from Springfield in the east to Rosewood in the west, with Ipswich serving as a central meeting place. They also acknowledge significant historical sites that continue to hold cultural importance today, including Purga and Deebing Creek.
The differently coloured U-shaped symbols represent people gathering and reflect the diverse cultures coming together across the region.
The footprints are our journey to connecting people.
These dots represent the people of Ipswich.
These lines and dots represent the traditional trading routes used by local clans within Ipswich and to connect with clans beyond the region.
These four large swirls on each edge of the painting are the mountains surrounding the region.
These smaller swirls represent the natural environment, including native plants and trees, like the Plunkett Mallee (Eucalyptus curtisii), our floral emblem.
These tracks represent the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), our faunal emblem.
These tracks are the goanna, which represents the Yagara/Yugara Language Group.
Traditional Owners
The Traditional Owners of the Ipswich region are the Clans that identify as being a part of the Yagara/Yugara Language Group (the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People).
This Accord recognises and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the regions and places of Ipswich as the custodians of the land whose connection to country has been over tens of thousands of years. This Accord recognises and acknowledges the rights of the Traditional Owners to be a central stakeholder in decision-making about the lands, regions, places and natural resources of Ipswich. This Accord provides a mutual responsibility that the cultures, customs, traditions, heritage, languages and stories of the Traditional Owners are preserved, encouraged, promoted and celebrated.
Outcome: 2.5 Council implements policies and cultural protocols with guidance from the Traditional Owner Representative Steering Committee
Action: Council and the Traditional Owner Representative Steering Committee collaboratively develops policies and cultural protocols
Traditional Land Access Strategic Policy(PDF, 397KB)
Traditional Land Access Permit
Council will allow access to culturally significant locations via a Traditional Land Access Permit for the purpose of enabling traditional land use activities by the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People. Locations that have been pre-approved for such use include:
- Cameron's Scrub Reserve
- Camira Bora Grounds
- Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate
- Kholo Bridge Reserve
- Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate
- Redbank Rifle Range Reserve
- White Rock-Spring Mountain Conservation Estate
- Queens Park Ceremonial, Healing and Remembrance Place
A number of cultural practices have been identified:
- Education: passing on traditional knowledge and practices
- Harvesting: (collecting leaves, branches, bark, stone and/or ochre) for basket weaving, painting, traditional dancing or making didgeridoos, coolamons, stone tools, etc.
- Hunting/food resources: collecting edible items
- Men’s business
- Women’s business
- Yarning circle: place to share knowledge, culture and stories
- Cultural Ceremonies
- Traditional Cooking (Kupmurri): permitted at Hardings Paddock (permanent Kupmurri cooking pit).
To apply for a permit to access one of the locations above please complete and submit the form below (Please note that a minimum of 10 business days is required for application processing):
Traditional Land Access permit