The Jangga People and three north Queensland regional councils have finalised an indigenous land use agreement (ILUA*) about infrastructure development, terms of access and consultation protocols over 20,700sqkm under a native title claim.

The National Native Title Tribunal registered the legally binding agreement on 11 February between the Jangga People, Charters Towers Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council and Whitsunday Regional Council over the Jangga People’s traditional country centred on the township of Mt Coolon, 120km west of Mackay and 150km south of Townsville.

Tribunal Member Graham Fletcher, who mediated between the groups, said the ILUA recognised the Jangga People as the traditional owners of the area and established how they would work with the three local governments in the future.

“The agreement gives the groups certainty about the protection of their rights and clarity about how they will carry out their business on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

“The Jangga People are assured their cultural heritage will be protected as the councils have agreed to include the Jangga People in their decision-making processes about matters that could impact on their rights.

“Clear terms about access have been developed for the councils to follow when developing infrastructure, such as roads and buildings, and providing services to the communities. 

“The parties are to be congratulated for reaching agreement over such a large area. The solid working relationship they built during the negotiation process stands them in good stead for the successful implementation of the ILUA.”

Across Australia 402 ILUAs have been registered with the Tribunal, with 214 of these agreements registered in Queensland.

* ILUAs are legally binding agreements about the use and management of land, made between indigenous groups and others with interests in a particular area. ILUAs are practical and flexible as they are developed to suit the different needs of the groups and the land issues they’re working through.