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Gunditjmara people congratulated on land claim

Media release HEREOC

Tom Calma social justice commissioner speaking at the Close the gap Launch April 2007

2 April 2007 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, today congratulated the Gunditjmara people of western Victoria for securing recognition of their native title rights and interests.

“Yet again we have evidence of the fact that traditional owners want to work with government and other bodies in true partnerships,” Commissioner Calma said.

“I congratulate the Victorian Government and the more than 25 other organisations and individuals – including miners, fishing licence holders, beekeepers and recreational land users - for their mature and level-headed approach in reaching agreement with the Gunditjmara.”

The outcome gives the Gunditjmara people non-exclusive native title rights and interests over 140,000 hectares of vacant Crown land, national parks, reserves, rivers, creeks and sea north-west of Warrnambool, extending south-west from the Grampians National Park within the Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Moyne Shire Council areas.

The consent determination last week also finalises the majority of the Gunditjmara’s two native title claims which were initially lodged in 1996.

Commissioner Calma said the Gunditjmara success now paves the way for an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) to be registered, adding their success to hundreds of other ILUAs around the country where traditional owners, councils, governments and the private sector are achieving positive outcomes based on negotiating native title issues rather than heading for the courts.

“These voluntary ILUAs are practical and flexible in meeting the needs of all the players involved, and raising the standards for increased Indigenous ownership and participation in the management of land throughout Australia,” Commissioner Calma said.

Source: Human Rights and equal Opportunity commission

Further information: native title issues page - includes news index and external links

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