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The National Native Title Tribunal has today issued notices inviting people with interests in land covered by 12 Northern Territory native title applications to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
The Tribunal's Northern Territory Manager, Ian Williams, said the native title claimants had applied for their traditional rights to be recognised over six areas of land in the Barkly region north and north-east of Tennant Creek, two areas in the Litchfield Shire and one area at each of the following locations in the VRD - Elliott, Ooratippra and Adelaide River.
Eight of the claims were located on pastoral properties, while the remaining four dealt with land acquisitions in or near urban or semi-rural localities Native title claimants had lodged eight of the claims in response to the proposed granting of exploration and mining leases.
"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 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."
The native title claims advertised are in response to eight mining applications located on Eva Downs, Helen Springs, Tandyidgee, Powell Creek, Creswell Downs, Benmara, Camfield in the VRD, and Ooratippra north-east of Alice Springs. The remaining four relate to land acquisition proposals in Elliott, Adelaide River, Tennant Creek and at Gunn Point.
Mr Williams said that not all areas of land and water within the 12 applications' external boundaries were claimed: for example, the applications excluded private freehold land, which was not claimable.
"The law states that native title cannot take away the valid rights and interests of other citizens, including lease or licence holders.
"If a native title application passes the Tribunal's registration test, the claimants may have the right to negotiate over any future developments on that land prior to their claim being legally recognised. All of these claims have been registered with the Tribunal, therefore the claimants may have access to these negotiating rights."
Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claim has until 16 January 2002 to apply to 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 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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