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 far northern region of South Australia to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
Tribunal State Manager, Sharon Bertholini, said the native title claimant group, Eringa, had applied for their traditional rights to be recognised over a 2,458 square kilometre area between the Macumba River and the South Australian/Northern Territory border, north-east of Oodnadatta. The area includes a portion of Witjira National Park.
'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 Bertholini 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.'
The Eringa # 2 application area is overlapped by the Wangkangurru/Yarluyandi application which is currently in mediation.
It is the second application that has been lodged on behalf of the Eringa native title claim group. Their first application, which abuts Eringa #2 to the west, was lodged on 12/2/96 and is currently in mediation.
Ms Bertholini anticipated that potential parties to the Eringa # 2 application might be groups or individuals with pastoral and government interests. The area claimed includes part of a pastoral lease and crown reserve land (portion of the national park). The Irrwanyere Aboriginal Corporation holds the lease for the national park, excluding the Mt Dare homestead and areas in the south that are 'fenced out' to adjoining pastoral leases.
'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 17 September 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. |