Katherine Planning For the Future Forum

1
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Native Title
Graham Newhouse Regional Director
Katherine Department of Planning and
Infrastructure
www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
2
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Introduction

• Native Title and the land administration process
• native title will remain a central issue in land
  management (Neate G 1999)
• Future Acts (only if Native Title exists)

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
3
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Katherine Native Title Application 24 May 1999

• We are all aware of the increasing pressure for
  land in Katherine, and the claim is lodged now so
  that future rezoning, release of Crown land and
  development is done following proper consultation
  to protect our interests. (Galarrwuy Yunupingu
  NLC 24 May 1999)
• The claim was lodged by the Dagoman, Jawoyn and
  Wardaman Aboriginal peoples.
• The lodgement of the claim means that the native
  title holders will be consulted over any future
  acts on land and waters covered by the
  application.

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
4
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Legislative Backgound

• Native Title Act - 1994 (Commonwealth)
• Mabo
• Bundle of rights
• Native Title Amendment Act - 1998
• Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA)

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
5
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
OptionsIf native title may still exist

• ILUAs
• Acquisition
• Non-NTA agreements
• Practical solutions

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
6
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Definition of an ILUA
An ILUA is a voluntary agreement concerning an
area of land or water where native title has been
determined to exist or where it is claimed that
native title exists. An ILUA is entered into in
accordance with the Native Title Act and, when
registered, is legally binding on all persons
holding native title (Neate 1996, p. 6).
www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
7
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
1. ILUAs

• 1998 amendments to NTA
• Provide certainty
• Voluntary process
• Non-extinguishment

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
8
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Types of ILUAs

• Body Corporate Agreements
• Area Agreements
• Alternative Procedure Agreements
• http//www.nntt.gov.au/

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
9
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Complexity ILUAs

• Influenced by
• Scope
• Relationships
• Expectations

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
10
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Indigenous Land Use Agreements

• Use of ILUAs to date in the NT
• Mining - exploration
• Venn land release
• Community living areas
• Parks
• Borroloola womens shelter
• Bradshaw Army Training facility
• Larapinta land release
• Mataranka Community Hall
• Borroloola Norforce Depot

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
11
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Registered ILUAs

• Queensland 184
• Northern Territory 84
• Victoria 33
• New South Wales 8
• Western Australia 11
• South Australia 24
• Total 344
• 20 November 2008

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
12
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Impediments to ILUAs

• Native title law is still evolving
• Traditional rights vs Torrens title?
• Native title variations
• Overlap
• Intra indigenous disputes
• Determinations (lack of)
• Representative bodies - resources

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
13
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
2. Acquisition

• Commonwealth Regime
• Native Title Act
• Right to negotiate
• National Native Title Tribunal
• NT Regime
• Lands Acquisition Act
• Consultation
• Lands Mining Tribunal (challenge)

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
14
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
3. Non-ILUA Agreements

• Rosebery Bellamack
• Acquisition
• Development lease at cost
• Phelps Acquaculture
• Acquisition
• Land at nil cost

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
15
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
4. Practical Solutions

• Mandorah boat ramp
• No title issued
• Petition
• Ilparpa Swamp
• Drain
• Health issues

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
16
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Other NTA Solutions

• Section 24KA public works
• Non-extinguishment
• Section 24LA low impact acts
• Doesnt effect native title
• Section 24MA freehold test

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
17
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
TIMBER CREEK

• Native title application
• Acquisition
• Negotiations

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
18
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
TIMBER CREEKNative Title Application 2000

• Application over land and water
• Determination 2006 non-exclusive
• Prior extinguishment disregarded (s47B)
• Applicants appealed non-exclusive
• NT appealed s47B decision
• Full Federal Court hearing 21-22 May 2007

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
19
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Native Title Determination

• Identifies the native title parties
• Creates a body corporate
• Determines the area where native title exists
• Determines the extent or level of native title

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
20
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
TIMBER CREEK Acquisition 1999/2000

• LMT determined acquisition could proceed 2002
• NLC won challenge to NTs power to acquire 2003
• NT appealed
• NT Court of Appeal confirmed NTs power to
  acquire 2004
• NLC sought leave to appeal to High Court denied
  2008

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au
21
KatherinePlanning For the Future Forum
Summary

• NTA must be addressed
• Good relationships means results
• Look for other options
• Definition of native title is changing
• Determination by Federal Court of Australia
  provides certainty

www.futurekatherine.nt.gov.au