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 north-west of Rockhampton to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal representative Ms Joanna Boileau said the native title applicants, the Southern Barada and Kabalbara People, had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over specific areas in the Broadsound -Marlborough region covering about 881 square kilometres.
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 Boileau 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 application from the Southern Barada and Kabalbara People falls within the shire councils of Broadsound and Livingstone. A map of the claim area and other information about native title is available from both shire council offices.
Not all areas of land and water within the application's external boundary are claimed: for example, the application excludes private freehold land.
People who believe they may have an interest in the area of the claim may wish to seek further information from the Tribunal.
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claim has until 25 September 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. |