A northern New South Wales native title application has taken a step closer to mediation with public notices issued inviting affected landowners and other interest-holders to register for talks.
Senior Case Manager with the National Native Title Tribunal, Tony Shelley, said that the Ngayabul People had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over specific parcels of Crown land in the Ballina region, south of Byron Bay on the far north coast of NSW.
"The first step in settling these applications is to hold mediation meetings aimed at reaching voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests", he said.
Mr Shelley said: "The law is clear that native title cannot take away the valid rights and interests of other citizens.
"But these land-holders and other interest holders may want to be involved in working out how their rights can coexist with those of the Indigenous traditional owners."
Continued public access to, and enjoyment of, national parks, nature reserves, waterways and beaches and other public places was guaranteed by law.
The application advertised is:
- Ngayabul People: within the Shires of Ballina and Byron, and Lismore City Council.
The application excludes private freehold land, which is not claimable.
People with an interest have until 1 August 2001 to register with the Federal Court if they want to be involved in the mediations. |