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The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in local
newspapers this week inviting people with interests in areas of land and water
covered by three native title applications around Charters Towers, Hughenden and
Richmond to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal State Manager, Mr Tony Shelley, said the
native title applicants, the Woolgar People, the Kudjala People and the Cape
Holding Group, had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over
three separate areas. He said the notifications were another stage in the
process of moving towards native title determinations.
"People or organisations with interests in the areas claimed may want to be
involved in working out how their rights may coexist with native title holders,"
Mr Shelley said.
"By registering for talks, people may have the opportunity to participate in
mediation meetings with the applicants and other parties. The Tribunal conducts
these meetings, aiming to resolve associated issues and reach voluntary
agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests. The mediation process
is the first step in determining these applications."
The applications are: Woolgar People #2 within the Richmond Shire which
covers an area of about 224 square kilometres north-east of Richmond; Kudjala
People #3 within the Dalrymple Shire that covers an area of about 319 square
kilometres south-west of Charters Towers; and Cape Holding Group also within
Dalrymple Shire, covering an area of about 19 square kilometres south-west of
Charters Towers.
Not all areas of land and water within the applications' external boundaries
are claimed: for example, the application excludes private freehold land.
The National Native Title Tribunal is writing to those people within the
claim areas whom the State Government has advised have a proprietary interest
that may be affected by the claims.
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claim has until 20 May
2002 to apply to the District Registrar of the Federal Court to "become a party"
to the application. The Federal Court is responsible for deciding who can be a
party to an application and whether or not mediation should take place. The
Federal Court refers the application to the Tribunal when it has decided that
mediation is required.
Further information is available from the NNTT on freecall 1800 640 501.
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