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The National Native Title Tribunal has moved to open up mediation talks on the Barkandji native title application over Lake Victoria in south west New South Wales to explore the prospects of reaching an out of Court agreement.
The Tribunal has placed newspaper advertisements and written to people with interests in the land and waters covered by the application pointing out they need to register with the Federal Court if they want to take part in mediation.
State Manager Andrew Solomon said people with relevant interests had until 8 November 2000 to apply to the Federal Court to become parties.
"Mediation will include discussions about whether native title exists in the area and if so, how it might be recognised and respected in ways that preserves everyone's interests," he said.
The Barkandji application covered about 150 square kilometres of land and waters known as the Lake Victoria Works in the local government area of Wentworth, New South Wales. The application did not cover any private freehold land, which was not claimable.
The application was lodged on 21 July 1997 on behalf of Barkandji People who were affiliated with the area.
Mr Solomon said the Tribunal had written to people it was aware of with rights or interests in the Lake Victoria area. Interest holders included people with irrigation permits, exploration licenses or rights to draw water from the lake, and commercial fishers. The Wentworth Shire Council and the governments of South Australia and New South Wales had also been notified.
He said if mediation was unsuccessful, the application would be listed for trial in the Federal Court.
Further information was available by contacting the NNTT on free call 1800 640 501.
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