Parties invited to negotiate Far North Queensland applications
| 15/06/2005 |
The National Native Title Tribunal has today placed advertisements in local newspapers inviting people with interests in land and water covered by two native title applications north-west of Cairns to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
Tribunal regional manager Mr Steve Ducksbury said the advertisements notify people with an interest in the claim areas to apply to become a party so that they can be included in negotiations.
‘People or organisations with interests in the area 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 issues and reach voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests.’
He said the native title applicants, the Olkola People and the Western Yalanji People, had asked for their respective traditional rights to be recognised over two separate areas of land within the Cook and Mareeba shire councils.
The Olkola People's application covers a 3,992 square kilometre area around 210 kilometres north-west of Cairns. The application falls within the area administered by the Cook and Mareeba Shire Councils and covers the Pinnacle, King River and Kimba Pastoral Holdings and parts of the Mount Mulgrave and Yambo Pastoral Holdings.
The Western Yalanji People's application covers a 753 square kilometre area around 160 kilometres north-west of Cairns. The application falls within the area administered by the Cook Shire Council and comprises parts of the Palmerville and Mount Mulgrave Pastoral Holdings.
Not all areas of land and water within the applications' external boundaries are claimed: for example, the applications exclude private freehold land and other land grants that have extinguished native title rights. In almost all cases native title rights, if recognised by the court, would co-exist with existing land uses.
Any person or organisation with an interest in the claim areas has until 28 September 2005 to respond by writing to the Registrar of the Federal Court. Further information about the claims and how to become a party is available from the NNTT on freecall 1800 640 501.
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| Nicolette Kormendy |
| 07 3226 8245 |
| 0417 944 809 |
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