The first people of the lower Murray river and Mallee country were successful in their 14 year old native title claim in the Riverland region of South Australia. At a Federal Court hearing at Lake Bonney today, Justice John Mansfield made a consent determination recognising the First People of the River Murray and Mallee Region’s non-exclusive native title rights and interest over parts of their traditional land in areas of the Murray River around Renmark, Berri, Barmera, Waikerie and Morgan. The claim was originally lodged in 1998.
An indigenous land use agreement was also signed with the Government of South Australia that sets out the terms of an ongoing relationship between first peoples and the Government including protocols for protecting sites and objects of significance, planning protocols for notice of development activities in the area, and includes the transfer of several freehold blocks of land.
“It’s been a lengthy process but the parties have developed a strong agreement of how they will work together in the region and how the River Murray and Mallee Region People’s rights will be recognised and protected.” said National Native Title Tribunal Deputy President Chris Sumner.
According to maps produced by linguists and anthropologists and researched by the tribunnal there are a number of
language or tribal names overlapping or within the claim area. These include: Yirawirung, Ngayawung, Ngarkat, Ngawait, Ngangurugu, Ngintait, Danggali, Maraura and Barkindji.
The circumference of the claim area extends from the western boundary of Chowilla Regional Reserve to the north of Renmark, south along the border of South Australia and New South Wales, and South Australia and Victoria
to the town of Peebinga. From there it runs west across the northern border of Billiatt Conservation Park and then south to include the northern portion of Carcuma Conservation Park. It then travels generally north passing on the western side of the town of Nildottie, Murbpook and Morgan. It includes 260 square kilometres of land and waters including 150km of Murray river frontage.
“This is the sixth determination in South Australia and demonstrates the ongoing commitment of those involved in the native title process – the Federal Court, the Tribunal, South Australian Native Title Services, the SA Government and legal and anthropological advisors – to work together in a cooperative way to settle native title negotiations in South Australia.” said Chris Sumner.
Previous determinations were the contested determination of De Rose Hill in 2005, and the consent determinations of Yankunytjatjara/Antakirinja in 2006, Witjira National Park in 2008, Adnyamathanha People in 2009 and Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara People in 2011.
Two further determinations by consent are expected to be made by the Federal Court in December: the Gawler Ranges and Eringa Peoples applications.
Sources:
- Adapted from National Native Title Tribunnal media release 18 November 2011 - River Murray and Mallee Region First Peoples celebrate consent determination
- National Native Title Tribunnal Research report and bibiography, 2004 - First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee Region (PDF)\