A Victory for Native Title Holders
23 April 2004
Central Land Council director David Ross today congratulated Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu and Wakay native title holders on having their native title rights recognised in a decision handed down by the Federal Courts Justice Mansfield.
"It's a great victory for the native title holders who lodged the claim nearly 10 years ago to ensure their native title rights and interests were protected in the area.
"The decision recognises native title holders and their strong rights and interest in the area which will allow them to play a strong part in the future joint management of the park," said Mr Ross.
The Central Land Council lodged a native title application on behalf of native title holders with the National Native Title Tribunal in 1995 over land south-east of Tennant Creek, including the proposed Davenport Murchison National Park and the historic township of Hatches Creek.
The area covered by the application is approximately 1,143 square kilometres and includes land within the Kurundi pastoral lease which was surrendered in 1993 for the proposed Davenport Range National Park .
Also included in the claim is the township of Hatches Creek which is surrounded by the Anurrete land trust. Hatches Creek was gazetted in 1953, but was a "town" in name only, and at the time of the native title application was vacant Crown land. Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act ( Northern Territory ) 1976, areas inside town boundaries are excluded from claim so the area was never included in the Anurrete Land Trust.
Mr Justice Mansfield of the Federal Court of Australia heard strong evidence from Aboriginal witnesses about their law and connection to the area over two weeks of hearings on country in September 2000.
Mr Ross said the evidence for the native title claim was strong.
"The claimants spoke strong during the hearing about their lives, use of the country and its spiritual meaning to them. The judge was taken on site visits across the country, women performed ceremony and men shared ground paintings to prove their strong connection to the land.
"It is really sad that a number of these key witnesses have passed away since the hearing ended while waiting for today's decision," said Mr Ross.
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