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The National Native Title Tribunal today placed advertisements inviting people with interests in land covered by four related native title applications in central Victoria to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
Over the next few days, the Tribunal will send more than 3,000 letters to people who the State Government has identified as possible interest-holders in the four claims, informing them about how to become a party to the claims.
Tribunal acting State Manager Ian Campbell-Fraser said the native title claimants, on behalf of the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples, had asked for their rights to be recognised over an area taking in Woodend in the south-east, Kow Swamp in the north-east across to Lake Buloke in the north-west and Creswick in the south-west.
Within this broader area north, south and west of Bendigo, there are three separate claims covering a number of mining application areas.
The four applications fall within 12 shire areas - Moorabool, Central Goldfields, Buloke, Hepburn, Campaspe, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Northern Grampians, Mount Alexander and Pyrenees shire councils and Ballarat and Greater Bendigo city councils.
Colour maps of the four claim areas will be available for viewing in shire offices throughout the region.
Not all areas of land and water within the applications' external boundaries are claimed - for example, the application excludes private freehold land, which is not claimable.
"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 Campbell-Fraser said.
"By registering for talks, these people may have the opportunity to participate in mediation meetings with the claimants and other parties. The Tribunal conducts these meetings, aiming to resolve associated issues and reach voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests. This mediation process is the first step in determining these applications."
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claims has until 11 March 2002 to apply to the District Registrar of the Federal Court to become a party to the applications. 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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