The Juru people of the Shire of Burdekin have voted to end Welcome to Country ceremonies on their land, citing concerns over misuse and a loss of cultural significance.
Juru Elder Randall Ross told 4BC Mornings the decision was made during a meeting of Elders on Thursday night.
The move aims to address growing concerns about individuals without ancestral ties to the Burdekin performing ceremonies for payment.
"The Elders have had enough," Mr Ross said.
"It is being abused, and they want to put a stop to it."
Mr Ross said the Elders remain committed to protecting and advocating for their country but feel the commercialisation of Welcome to Country ceremonies has caused embarrassment.
Burdekin mayor Pierina Dalle Cort welcomed the Elders' decision, describing it as "an early Christmas present".
"I can't get into a political nightmare here, but all I can say is I'm happy to work with the traditional owners," Ms Dalle Cort said, Newscorp reports.
"We're multicultural, we're one country, and we've all got to learn to live and work together.
"I've already had responses from people saying things like, 'Finally, common sense has prevailed'."
According to the Townsville Bulletin Indigenous leader Warren Mundine also supported the Juru decision, criticising the current state of Welcome to Country ceremonies,
"The point of it is it's meant to be a welcome, but some people are abusing it by charging a gazillion dollars or making political speeches," Mr Mundine said.
"They're causing anger and division.
"You're getting people doing these ceremonies who are not from the area or are just out to make a quick buck."
Mr Mundine, a former ALP national president, said he introduced Welcome to Country ceremonies during his time as Dubbo deputy mayor in the 1990s, where they were well-received.
However he believes they have since lost their significance.
The Juru Elders' vote follows reports of high costs associated with Welcome to Country ceremonies, including $135,000 spent by Brisbane ratepayers over two years.
One Aboriginal corporation reportedly charged a surf club $2,000 for a ceremony.
The National Association for the Visual Arts suggests standard fees for Welcome to Country ceremonies range from $300 to $750.
Croydon mayor Trevor Pickering, who previously opposed the practice at council meetings, also criticised its implementation, despite his connections to Indigenous culture in far north Queensland.
"I grew up with Aboriginal people, I befriended Aboriginal people, and that Welcome to Country stuff is all pure bullsh*t," Mr Pickering told the Courier Mail earlier this year.
