Tribunal President Justice Robert French today congratulated the Dunghutti people on gaining a place in Australian history as the first determined holders of native title on the Australian mainland.
Formal recognition of the Dunghutti as the native title holders of land at Crescent Head on the NSW north coast was given in an order by Justice Lockhart of the Federal Court in Sydney, following the consent of all parties, including the State of New South Wales, 14 Crescent Head residents and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
The native title determination handed down by the Federal Court will stand for just six hours. Later today the State will move to compulsorily acquire the native title rights, as agreed by the claimants.
Justice French said the Dunghutti native title determination showed native title negotiations could work to address the aspirations of native title claimants and the broader concerns of local communities and governments. The Tribunal was pleased to have played a part as mediator in assisting the parties to agreement.