The National Native Title Tribunal will soon begin mediating between parties with interests in a 95,869 sq km area of land and waters in the north-east region of South Australia where the Wangkangurru/Yarluyandi People are seeking recognition of their native title rights.
The native title application also extends into south-western Queensland.
The Federal Court referred the claim to the Tribunal for mediation at a directions hearing that took place in Adelaide this week.
People with interests in the claimed area had three months to apply to the Federal Court to become a party to the claim, and now have the opportunity to resolve native title issues through agreement at mediation meetings conducted by the Tribunal. The Wangkangurru/Yarluyandi people are not seeking exclusive rights and interests over the claimed area.
Tribunal State Manager, Peter Hutchison, welcomed the Federal Court's decision to refer the claim into mediation, as parties to the claim would be able to define their respective interests, and work towards an outcome that was satisfactory to all involved.
'Native title mediation enables parties to negotiate solutions that meet the needs of all interest-holders,' he said.
'The Tribunal helps people develop their own agreements that respect each other's rights and interests, and this can lead to new relationships that strengthen communities.
'The process requires patience as it can take some time to resolve the issues, however mediation is preferable to litigating matters in the courts as there is potential for all parties to be satisfied with the outcome. '
Mr Hutchison said the parties involved in the mediation represented pastoral, mining, indigenous, telecommunications, apiarist, State and local government interests.
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