The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements this week in local newspapers inviting people with interests in land covered by a native title application in the Taroom/Wandoan region to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal Regional Manager Ms Jennifer Jude said the native title applicants, the Iman People, had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over a 14,020 square kilometre area south from Theodore around Taroom and Wandoan in central Queensland. She said this notification was another stage in the process of moving towards a native title determination.
'People or organisations with interests in the area claimed may want to be involved in working out how their rights may coexist with native title holders,' Ms Jude 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 Iman People's application falls within the shire councils of Banana, Bauhinia, Bungil, Chinchilla, Duaringa, and Taroom. Ms Jude said that with the co-operation of these councils, the Tribunal had arranged for maps of the claim area and detailed information about the application to be available for viewing at council offices.
She said people with questions or concerns about the application are strongly encouraged to contact the Tribunal directly on freecall 1800 640 501 for further information.
Not all areas of land and water within the application's external boundary are claimed: for example, the application excludes private freehold land.
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claim has until 3 December 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. |