The National Native Title Tribunal has today issued notices inviting people with interests in land covered by a native title application that takes in an area around Emerald and Blackwater in central Queensland to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal Regional Manager, Ms Joanna Boileau, said the native title applicants - the Kangoulu People - had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over the area.
"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," Ms Boileau 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 application from the Kangoulu People takes in the shires of Bauhinia, Belyando, Broadsound, Duaringa, Emerald, Fitzroy, Jericho, Livingstone and Peak Downs. The application does not include areas that were notified under the previous Kangoulu People #2 notification of late 2000.
Not all areas of land and water within the application's external boundary are claimed: for example, the application excludes private freehold land.
Ms Boileau said that while the area of the application includes some mining, including small mining, and pastoral interests the law of native title makes it clear that native title cannot take away the valid rights and interests of other citizens, including lease and licence holders.
A map of the Kangoulu application area is available for viewing through local government offices in the shires listed above and at the Mining Registrar's office in Emerald.
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claim has until 30 January 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. |