The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in today's newspapers inviting people with interests in land and waters covered by a native title application in the north-east Goldfields region of Western Australia to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
Tribunal State Manager, Andrew Jaggers, said the native title claimant group, Ngalia Kutjungkatja 2, had applied for their traditional rights to be recognised over a 61,782 square kilometre area located in the shires of Laverton, Leonora, Wiluna and Ngaanyatjarraku.
'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 Jaggers said.
'By registering as a party to the application people may have the opportunity to participate in mediation meetings with the claimants and other parties. The Tribunal conducts these meetings, aiming to resolve issues and reach voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests. This mediation process is usually the first step in determining these applications.
'People who have interests in the claimed area should note that the application entirely covers the area claimed by the Mantjintjarra Ngalia Peoples who lodged their application in the Federal Court in March 1996. By order of the Federal Court parties to the Mantjintjarra Ngalia Peoples claim are already registered as parties to the Ngalia Kutjungkatja 2 application and need not apply for registration with the Federal Court.'
The Ngalia Kutjungkatja 2 application partially overlaps the Wongatha application which is currently being heard by the Federal Court. The overlap area is approximately 35,254 sq km in size and is located 250km north of Kalgoorlie. This area will be determined concurrently with the Wongatha proceeding.
Mr Jaggers anticipated that potential parties to the claim might be groups and individuals with pastoral, mining and government interests. The area claimed includes pastoral leases, vacant crown land, Aboriginal reserves, conservation and land management reserves, and the Darlot Stockroute.
'The law states that native title cannot take away the valid rights and interests of other citizens, including freehold, lease or licence holders.'
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claimed area and is not already a party to the claim has until 12 May 2003 to apply to 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. Any persons wishing to clarify whether they are already a party to the application can contact the Federal Court on (08) 9268-7113. Further information is available from the National Native Title Tribunal on freecall 1800 640 501. |