People with an interest in land and waters within the boundaries of six native title applications in regional South Australia have today been given notice to come forward if they want to take part in mediation to settle the claims.
The National Native Title Tribunal has written to more than 3,500 interest holders - including people in the fishing industry - and placed newspaper advertisements advising they have three months if they want to register as parties to the applications.
State Manager Chris Uren said becoming a party to the native title applications meant having a say in mediation and, if necessary, in Court.
He said mediation aimed to reach native title agreements that respected everyone's rights and interests.
"The alternative is potentially costly and lengthy Court proceedings."
"The external boundaries of the applications range in size from 8,000 square kilometres to 96,000 square kilometres, and are in the western Eyre Peninsula, top of Spencer Gulf, northern Riverland and far north east of the State, including a portion of south west Queensland. All excluded private freehold land, which is not claimable."
Mr Uren said Federal legislation and Court decisions had made it clear that native title could not take away the valid rights and interests of other citizens, including pastoralists, the fishing industry, and other lease or licence holders.
"There is widespread myth and misunderstanding about native title which often raises unnecessary fears," he said.
Mr Uren said that the best way for people with interests in the area to have their say was to become a party to the application.
"There are no fees to become a party to this native title application if it's done before 7 May 2001."
He said native title could not be claimed on private freehold land, but could exist on vacant Crown land, state forests, national parks, public reserves, beaches and foreshores, land held by Government agencies, and any other public or Crown lands.
"Native title may exist alongside some leases and licences, but it does not provide any right of veto over development," he said.
Further information was available by contacting the NNTT on free call 1800 640 501. |