Parties invited to negotiate central Victorian claim 

Over the next few days, the Tribunal will send more than 80 letters to people who the State Government has identified as possible interest-holders in the claim, informing them about how to become a party to the claims.

Tribunal senior case manager Mr Ian Campbell-Fraser said the native title claimants, the Dja Dja Wrung/Whurung People, had asked for their rights to be recognised over an 18.2 square kilometre area north of Ballarat, west and east of Bendigo and south of the Pyrenees Highway near Maryborough.

The application, which is the result of a combination of 10 smaller applications, falls within the shire council areas of Ararat, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo City, Hepburn, Loddon, Mount Alexander and Pyrenees.

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 17 December 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.