The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in today's newspapers inviting people with interests in areas of land and water covered by a native title application in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal Regional Manager, Mr Steve Ducksbury, said the applicants, the Kuuku Ya'u People, were seeking recognition of their native title rights and interests over a 3,772 sq km area approximately 150km east of Weipa on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula.
'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 Ducksbury 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 application is predominantly a sea claim with the coastal boundary being largely defined as following the high water mark. The claim also covers unallocated State land, reserves, national park land and several islands. Not all areas of land and water within the applications' external boundaries are claimed: for example, the application excludes private freehold land within that boundary.
Mr Ducksbury predicted that parties to the claim may include groups and individuals with State Government, tourism and fishing interests.
Anyone who thinks they may have an interest in the claims has until 9 December 2003 to apply to the District Registrar of the Federal Court to become a party. 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. |