The National Native Title Tribunal has today issued notices inviting people with interests in land covered by two native title applications that take in areas around Mildura, Robinvale and Ouyen in north-west Victoria to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal acting state manager, Mr Tony Shelley said the separate native title applications by the Latji Latji and Wergaia Peoples and the Latji Latji Peoples, had sought recognition for their traditional rights 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," Mr Shelley said. "By registering for talks, people may have the opportunity to participate in mediation meetings with the applicants and other parties. The mediation process is the first step in determining these applications."
The application from the Latji Latji and Wergaia Peoples falls within the Mildura Rural City Council local government area while the Latji Latji Peoples' application falls within the Buloke and Yarriambiack shire councils and the Swan Hill and Mildura Rural city councils.
These council offices will display large maps of the two application areas from 31 October. They will be displayed at Swan Hill Library, Campbell Street, Swan Hill; Buloke Shire Council Office Broadway, Wycheproof; Yarriambiack Shire Council, Lyle Street, Warracknabeal; Mildura Rural City Council Office, Madden Ave, Mildura; Mildura Library, Deakin Ave, Mildura; Ouyen Office, Oke St, Ouyen and the mobile office.
Not all areas of land and water within the applications' external boundaries are claimed. For example, the applications exclude private freehold land. Both applications also exclude those areas within the external boundary claimed by the Robinvale Aboriginal Community. They also cover parts of the area claimed by North West Nations - a native title application that the Federal Court discontinued on 14 June 2001.
"The law states that native title cannot take away the valid rights and interests of other citizens, including lease or licence holders," Mr Shelley said.
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the application 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. |