Native title claimants and five shire councils in central Queensland
have set the ball rolling for negotiations to develop an indigenous
land use agreement (ILUA).
Today in Mt Isa, representatives of the Kalkadoon People and the
Boulia, Burke, Cloncurry, McKinlay and Mt Isa shire councils signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) that commits them to an
agreement-making process.
Media Release
26 June 2009 PR09-13
Native title claimants and local government commit to negotiations
Native title claimants and five shire councils in central Queensland
have set the ball rolling for negotiations to develop an indigenous
land use agreement (ILUA).
Today in Mt Isa, representatives of the Kalkadoon People and the
Boulia, Burke, Cloncurry, McKinlay and Mt Isa shire councils signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) that commits them to an
agreement-making process.
The Kalkadoon People have a native title claim over about 39,090 sq km
of pastoral and other leases, reserves and unallocated state land
which falls within each of these shires. They are seeking recognition
and protection of their native title in this area where the local
councils are required to provide infrastructure and services to their
communities and use the land for certain public purposes.
The MoU provides the parties with a framework for discussions about
their respective rights and interests and how their aspirations and
future requirements for the area can co-exist.
National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate, who is
assisting the parties to negotiate an ILUA, said that by recognising
the value of a cooperative approach and committing to an
agreement-making process the parties had made an excellent start to
achieving a successful outcome.
?The Kalkadoon People and the shire councils have their specific
aspirations for the use of this land, but all want to ensure their
rights and interests to this area are respected and protected in the
future,? he said.
?By getting together to work out how their rights and interests can
co-exist and how they can help one another to create better futures
for their communities through a cooperative approach, they?re giving
themselves the best chance to have their needs and aspirations met.?
Under the Native Title Act ILUAs are made between one or more native
title groups and others about the use and management of land and
waters. These agreements set out how people?s rights and interests
will work on the ground.
Media contact: Nicolette Kormendy 0417 944 809
Source: Media Monitors