| The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in today's newspapers inviting people with interests in land and water covered by seven native title applications in the Northern Territory to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
Tribunal State Manager, Mr Tony Shelley, said that a number of native title applicants were seeking legal recognition of their native title rights and interests over several areas across the Territory.
‘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,’ he 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 advertised applications are:
Town of Mataranka, Tanumbirini, Town of Borroloola, Molly Hill, Deepwater, Glen Helen and Alcoota.
The claims cover town areas, vacant Crown land, pastoral leases and Aboriginal Corporation Lands. All of the claims were lodged in response to notices the Northern Territory Government has published about its plans for exploration in those areas.
Mr Shelley said groups that may have an interest in the claimed areas could include pastoralists, Indigenous groups, town councils, recreational fishing clubs, Telstra and groups with mining interests.
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in one or more of these claims has until 4 August 2004 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.
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