Parties invited to negotiate native title application over four islands in the Torres Strait 

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 Torres Strait to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.

National Native Title Tribunal regional manager Mr Steve Ducksbury said the native title applicants had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over the lands and inland waters of Turnagain Island (Buru), Deliverance Island (Warul Kawa), Kerr Islet and Turu Cay in the Torres Strait.

He 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,' Mr Ducksbury 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 falls within the Torres Shire Council. A map of the claim area and other information about native title is available from the Tribunal's Cairns office.

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 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.