News

Yarrabah Title Determination

21st Sep 2012

Joint MY - Gunggandji Native Title Determination handed down

 

The Federal Court handed down its Native Title Determination on the Combined Mandingalbay Yidinji - Gunggandji claim in Cairns on the 21^st of September.

After the emotional hearing at the Cairns Courthouse, a celebration lunch was held at the Yarrabah gym by the North Queensland Land Council.

The 82 square kilometres of land includes the southern part of the Yarrabah DOGIT (Deed Of Grant In Trust), some other areas of land around Yarrabah, and Gunjurra Island.

This is the land that is south of the Gunggandji claim (finalised in 2011) and east of the Malbon Thompson Range.

The determination gives traditional owners exclusive rights to hunt, fish and hold ceremonies on the land following their traditional laws and customs.

The 74th Native Title determination in Queensland, it opens up social and economic opportunities for Gunggandji and MY people such as living on country and developing tourism ventures.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said: “Today’s determination reaffirms the people’s enduring spiritual connection to their land and its natural and cultural values.

“As part of the negotiations with the state, three indigenous land use agreements for the ongoing management of cultural heritage and future activity have been registered with the National Native Title Tribunal.”