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The National Native Title Tribunal has today placed advertisements in local newspapers notifying people about a native title application between Weipa and Aurukun on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula.
Tribunal regional manager Mr Steve Ducksbury said the advertisements notify people with an interest in the claim area of an opportunity to apply to become a party so that they can be included in negotiations.
He said the native title applicants, the Wik and Wik Way People, had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over a 1,615-square kilometre area of land and sea within the Cook and Aurukun shire councils and the Napranum Aboriginal Council.
The land component of the new claim relates to the same area covered by the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement between traditional owner groups, Comalco and the Queensland Government, registered in 2001. Under that indigenous land use agreement (ILUA), the claimants agreed to lodge a new native title claim that takes in the area that the ILUA now covers.
Not all land and waters within the external boundary may be claimed. For example, privately held freehold land within that boundary is excluded.
‘People or organisations with interests in the area claimed may want to be involved in working out how their rights may coexist with those of 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 issues and reach voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests.’
Anyone who has an interest that may be affected has until 6 July 2004 to apply to the Federal Court. Further information about the claim and how to become a party is available from the NNTT on freecall 1800 640 501.
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