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The National Native Title Tribunal today moved to start mediating three native title applications in the Torres Strait to help people reach out of court agreements.
Case Manager Mr Andrew Kerr said the Tribunal had placed advertisements in local and metropolitan newspapers giving interest holders three months to register as parties if they wanted to join the mediation.
The three native title applications have been lodged by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) on behalf of all the traditional owners of Badu, Boigu and Dowar and Waier Islands.
The applications cover:
- Badu and surrounding islands on land only to the high water mark;
- Dowar and Waier islands on land only to the high water mark;
- Boigu Aubusi and Moimi and surrounding islands land only to the low water mark.
People who are native title holders of these islands who may live on the mainland or elsewhere, can contact the TSRA Native Title Office (07 4069 2581) to find out more about the native title applications.
Other people who are not traditional owners but who have an interest in the areas covered by the applications may want to register as parties and take part in mediation.
Mr Kerr said native title did not threaten the valid rights and interests of other citizens.
"We're advertising these applications so that anyone with an interest in the land covered by the applications can be involved in discussions about whether native title exists in the area and, if so, how it might be recognised and respected in a way that preserves everyone's interests."
"Any interest holder wanting to become a party needs to contact the Federal Court in Brisbane before 11 October 2000. The Court will then decide when the Tribunal should start mediation meetings."
Further information is available by contacting Andrew Kerr at the NNTT on freecall 1800 640 501.
Five consent determinations of native title were made by the Federal Court sitting in the Torres Strait last week, bringing the number of determinations in the region to eight. A further 16 native title applications over land in the Torres Strait are currently in mediation.
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