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The President of the National Native Title Tribunal has welcomed today's announcement of an in-principle agreement between the State of Victoria and the Wotjobaluk People that could result in Victoria's first determination that native title exists.
Mr Graeme Neate said the proposed agreement - the result of intensive mediation overseen by the Tribunal - was a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when people come together to find common ground.
'I congratulate the Wotjobaluk People and the State Government for reaching this historic agreement,' Mr Neate said. 'There is still much work to be done to bring this to a final conclusion - for example, the State and Wotjobaluk will now seek the agreement of the other parties and any consent determination of native title must be approved by the Federal Court. However, I am confident that the goodwill of the parties will bring benefits for everyone involved.
'It's a very good sign that native title agreements are possible in Victoria.'
Mr Neate said the Wotjobaluk claim, which was first lodged with the Tribunal in 1995, involved 438 parties arranged into 16 groups. These groups represent a range of interests in the Wimmera, from farming to fishing to mining and bee-keeping.
'Keeping this on track has presented us with many challenges but it is a credit to everyone involved that we have now reached this important turning point.'
The proposed settlement package includes a consent determination of native title recognising the Wotjobaluk People's rights to hunt, gather, fish and camp according to their traditional laws and customs on Crown reserves along the Wimmera River in Victoria's west between Lake Albacutya and Yarriambiack Creek, subject to all existing laws and regulations. This does not include areas where native title has been extinguished by previous tenures.
In another part of the agreement, the Wotjobaluk with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment would co-manage national parks and other areas of cultural significance in the region. They would also gain a role in protecting Wotjobaluk cultural heritage.
Freehold title to three Crown allotments totalling 45 hectares, over which the Wotjobaluk People have demonstrated strong cultural and historical connection, would also be granted under the deal. In return, the Wotjobaluk have agreed to a determination that native title does not exist over the remainder of the claim area. A progress report to the Federal Court is due on 25 November.
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