The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in newspapers this week inviting people with interests in areas of land and water covered by two native title applications in far north Queensland to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.
National Native Title Tribunal Regional Manager, Mr Steve Ducksbury, said the notification of the two native title applications was another stage in the process of moving towards a native title determination.
The Mandingalbay Yidinji People #2 application covers a 6,136 square kilometre area of land and water approximately 33 kilometres south of Cairns and falls within the Cairns City Council area. The Wuthathi, Kuuku Y'au and Northern Kaanju People application covers a 1,662 square kilometre area approximately 116 kilometres east of Weipa on the eastern side of Cape York Peninsula, within the Cook Shire Council area.
'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,' 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 associated issues and reach voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests.'
Not all areas of land and water within the applications' external boundaries are claimed: for example, the application excludes private freehold land within that boundary.
Anyone who thinks they may have an interest in the claims has until 26 November 2003 to apply to the District Registrar of the Federal Court to become a party. The Federal Court is responsible for deciding who can be a party to an application and whether or not mediation should take place. The Federal Court refers the application to the Tribunal when it has decided that mediation is required. |