Wednesday 3 January 2007
Traditional Owners Congratulated on Land Claim
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma today congratulated the Githabul people of northern NSW for securing joint partnership arrangements of what is potentially 110,000 hectares of land.
According to the Department of Lands, the agreement – to be signed early this year – gives the Githabul people joint partnership of land which includes nine national parks and 13 State forests in what is possibly the largest native title agreement to date on the Eastern sea board.
“This is a defining moment for the Githabul people and the entire reconciliation and Indigenous land reform processes,” Commissioner Calma said.
“The recognition of the traditional owners and employment opportunities flowing from this deal will deliver benefits now and well into the future for the Githabul people and the entire northern NSW community.
“This native title settlement is proof positive that traditional owners want to work with government and other bodies in true partnerships,” Commissioner Calma said.
“I also congratulate the NSW Government for the level-headed approach it has taken in this agreement with the Githabul people.
“It is a fair agreement underpinned by a true partnership approach and I encourage the Queensland Government to consider a similar arrangement for their component of the claim.”
Commissioner Calma said the Githabul success is one of hundreds of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) around the country where traditional owners, land councils governments and the private sector are achieving positive outcomes based on negotiating native title issues rather than heading for the courts.
“ILUAs have provided commitments to Indigenous employment, the establishment of cultural centres and raised the standards for increased Indigenous ownership and participation in the management of national parks throughout Australia,” Commissioner Calma said.
Media contact: Louise McDermott 02 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
Last updated 30 January, 2008
