20 February 2006
Land sharing at the heart of the successful Yalanji native title claim
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, has congratulated the Western Yalanji people on the recognition of their native title claim in the Mt Carbine region, north west of Cairns (Queensland).
"This result for the Yalanji people is particularly pleasing because it was achieved through agreement with pastoralists, the Queensland Government and the local council. As part of the native title claim, four land use agreements were established, meaning that the Yalanji people share the land with these other groups, including fossickers," said Mr Calma.
"I think it is important for Australians to understand that native title does not give traditional owners exclusive rights to land. More often than not, land interests and rights to land are shared across a number of groups. In fact, there are 232 land use agreements across Australia. These land use agreements significantly outnumber native title claims. As with the Yalanji case, land sharing is the norm."
The Yalanji native title claim means that the traditional owners have access to the land to hunt, fish, conduct ceremonies and care for the land. If they want to make commercial use of the land they are required to apply for licences and leases.
"I would like to encourage more agreement making between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups. If we are committed to improving the economic conditions for Indigenous people we have to settle land issues. Once the land title is established, Indigenous people can begin to build their economic base. This might include building economic relationships with the groups who are part of the land use agreement or setting up their own small scale businesses, such as cultural tourism," Commissioner Calma said.
Mr Calma recently released the Native Title Report 2005, which provides strategies aimed at developing economic and social development on land under Indigenous title.
"Land title is the starting point. Native title establishes the appropriate governance structures to land. With the governance issues formally established, non-Indigenous groups and governments know who the Indigenous traditional owners are, and are then in a position to appropriately negotiate potential economic and business development plans," Mr Calma said.
"All parties must utilise this window of opportunity to build on native title agreement making processes. Good negotiation of land use agreements can be an initial building block for sustainable economic development options for Indigenous Australians. I hope to see economic improvements as a result of native title realised within this generation and sincerely hope this is the case for the Western Yalanji people. "
The Native Title Report 2005, executive summaries and a media kit are available online at www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/ntreport05/
Media contact: Paul Oliver on (02) 9284 9677 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 16 February 2006.
