| Native title claimants and three shire councils in central Queensland have signed a memorandum of understanding that paves the way towards the resolution of land use issues.
Representatives of the Pitta Pitta People and the Boulia, Cloncurry and Diamantina shire councils gathered in Boulia today to sign the MoU that commits them to a process to negotiate an indigenous land use agreement (ILUA).
The Pitta Pitta People have a native title claim over 33, 710 sq km of mostly pastoral leases in central Queensland, which falls within each of the shire council areas.
National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate, who is assisting the parties to negotiate an ILUA, said the Pitta Pitta People and the shire councils had recognised that the best outcome would be achieved through agreement about how their rights would co-exist.
“The parties have an opportunity to develop an agreement that recognises the rights and interests of the Pitta Pitta People, while protecting the rights of the shire councils which are required to provide services and infrastructure to their communities,” he said.
“The MoU sets out a framework for negotiations to enable the parties to reach the ILUA. By signing the MoU the Pitta Pitta People and the shire councils have committed to this agreement-making process.
“They are off to a good start to resolving land issues and reaching a solution that not only recognises their needs and aspirations but also establishes how, through cooperation, they can lead the communities towards a better future.”
Under the Native Title Act, ILUAs are made between one or more native title groups and others about the use and management of land and waters. These agreements set out how people’s rights and interests will work on the ground. |