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 Kimberley region of Western Australia to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
Tribunal State Manager, Andrew Jaggers, said the native title claimant group, Wanjina/Wunggurr-Wilinggin # 2, had applied for their traditional rights to be recognised over a 7,150 square kilometre area located approximately 40km south-west of Wyndham.
‘The application falls within the boundaries of an existing native title application, Wanjina/Wunggurr/Wilinggin, which was lodged in 1999 and is currently the subject of Federal Court proceedings,’ he said. ‘Wanjina/Wunggurr-Wilinggin # 2 is being considered at the same time.
‘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.
‘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.’
The area claimed includes exploration tenements, reserves, a stock route and pastoral leases Pentecost Downs, Durack River and a portion of Home Valley.
Mr Jaggers anticipated that potential parties to the claim might be groups and individuals with pastoral, government and mining interests.
‘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 6 August 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. Further information is available from the National Native Title Tribunal on freecall 1800 640 501.
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