Central Land Council
in this section
CLC Press Releases
- 28 October 2008
- Devils Marbles handed back to traditional owners ›› more
- 27 October 2008
- Tanami Regional Partnership Agreement ›› more
- 27 October 2008
- Warlpiri use royalties to build Yuendumu Pool ›› more
- 15 October 2008
- Minister looks for distraction ›› more
- 14 October 2008
- CLC response to NTER review ›› more
- 14 August 2008 2008
- Communities have their say on intervention ›› more
- 31 July 2008 2008
- Fairfax news in bad taste ›› more
- 24 July 2008 2008
- election: accountability needed ›› more
- 17 July 2008 2008
- Royal commission needed into NT funding ›› more
- 11 July 2008 2008
- Simpson Desert: the last land rights claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act ›› more
- 8 July 2008 2008
- Sacred site damage at Wilora ›› more
- 30 May 2008
- Seal the Mereenie Loop Road Now ›› more
- 27 May 2008
- Angela Pamela Negotiations ›› more
- 9 May 2008
- Angela Pamela and the native title process ›› more
- 18 February 2008
- Coalition should support permit system ›› more
- 15 February 2008
- Politicians threaten to derail fresh start ›› more
- 22 January 2008
- Police ignorance upsets Lajamanu community ›› more
- 26 November 2007
- Optimism for a fresh consensual approach on Aboriginal affairs ›› more
- 21 November 2007
- Concerns over Central Petroleum tactics ›› more
Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation to represent Arrernte Native Title Holders
The Federal Court’s determination today on the registration of the prescribed body corporate for native title holders in Alice Springs marks a new stage in the legal recognition of native title rights in Alice Springs.
The Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation as the prescribed body corporate will be able to act as the agent and representative for native title holders and negotiate on their behalf.
Justice Olney presented the determination in the Alice Spring Court House at 2 pm today. Spokespeople for the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation spoke at the court house after the decision was handed down.
Under the constitution developed by the native title holders for the corporation, they are represented by 30 members, an elected executive working committee and an elected chair, Brian Stirling. The Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations incorporated the body in April.
The Alice Springs native title holders lodged their application for recognition of their rights with the National Native Title Tribunal in 1994.
Subsequently the application was referred to the Federal Court. After extensive hearings and visits to Alice Springs sites, in May 2000 Justice Olney handed down the decision that native title co-existed with other interests on 118 parcels of land - reserves, parks and vacant crown land - within Alice Springs. The decision recognised native title holders’ right to use and enjoy that land and to make decisions about its future use. The decision also required the establishment of the body corporate to represent the native title holders.
The court’s decision however did not give practical guidance as to how the native title rights and interests will be recognised and exercised. These can be established by negotiation, goodwill and agreement, or litigation, between native title holder’s representative body and other interests such as the NT Government and the Alice Springs Town Council.
Native tittle holders have already been involved in projects such as Todd River rehabilitation and works at Ilparpa Swamp.
With goodwill the way is now open for Alice Springs
native title holders to fully participate in a range of cultural, social,
economic and political issues in Alice Springs that could prove a model
for negotiated native title outcomes in Australia.