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The National Native Title Tribunal today publicly notified the Koa people's native title application over the Castle Hill Pastoral Holding and the Bladensburg National Park in the Shire of Winton.
Queensland State Manager Mr Simon Nish said the Tribunal had placed advertisements in local and metropolitan papers giving landholders and other interest holders three months to register as parties to the application and take part in mediation.
Mr Nish said native title did not threaten the valid rights and interests of other citizens, including pastoral leaseholders and the right of the public to visit national parks.
"We're advertising this application so that anyone with an interest in the land subject to the application 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 27 September 1999. The Court will then decide who to formally accept as parties and whether to refer the application to the Tribunal for mediation."
Mr Nish said if mediation did not resolve the application by agreement, the application may be listed for trial in the Federal Court.
"Mediation could achieve agreements that respected everyone's rights and interests. The alternative is lengthy, costly and adversarial Court action, often with uncertain results."
The Koa native title application was lodged on 24 May 1999 in response to a 'non-claimant application' made over the Castle Hill Pastoral Holding by the leaseholder. The Koa application covers the Castle Hill Pastoral Holding and the Bladensburg National park. No freehold land is included.
Further information is available by contacting the NNTT on freecall 1800 640 501.
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