THE concerns and interests of the Aboriginal people of Ipswich must be listened to.

That is the word from Blair MP and shadow minister for indigenous affairs Shayne Neumann in the wake of more than 100 protesters marching through central Ipswich on Friday to rally against development at Deebing Heights.

Developers have already carved up much of the former Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission land, one of the first mission sites in the state, established in 1887.

Now Australand and Deebing Developments have proposed a 600-home estate over the remaining 114ha, which is protected under the Queensland Heritage Register and lists a cemetery on the site.

Aboriginal activist Sam Watson, whose grandmother lived at Deebing Creek Mission in the early 1900s and was relocated to Purga Mission, told the rally the former mission site should be handed over to the traditional owners.

"It is so important to us as Aboriginal people to retain our sacred land, to pass that knowledge down to our children and grandchildren," he said.

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Mr Neumann, who has met with indigenous leaders in Ipswich over the issue, said a resolution that respected the concerns of the Aboriginal people must be found.

"I'd like to see the developers, the council, the State Government and the indigenous people meet to discuss the issue," he said.

"It looks to me as though the local indigenous people have been left out of the loop.

"I have had some discussions with some of them and it does seem like their interests, requests and wishes have been disregarded.

"I'd be keen to see all parties sit down and see if we get a resolution to the issue that protects the heritage and respects traditions of the local indigenous people and at the same time provides some continuation of the development in the Ripley Valley and Deebing Heights.

"If you look at the history of the Deebing Creek and Purga missions there is no doubt that Aboriginal people in the local area were treated very shabbily and poorly.

"So they have a legitimate desire for the memories and gravesites to be protected."

Mr Neumann said that while he was the shadow minister of the indigenous affairs portfolio federally, a resolution must involve the goodwill of the parties that could resolve the issue.

"There are no federal implications here," he said.

"This is a very complicated legal issue but it also requires the State Government, developers and council working together with the indigenous people to get an effective outcome.

"We are talking about council law and state legislation."