Notice has been received from the National Native Title Tribunal regarding an application to the Federal Court under the Native Title Act 1993 by Ngemba, Ngiyampaa, Wangaaypuwan and Wayilwan to have their native title rights and interest recognised within the area described on page 16, back page, of the paper.

The application area is located within central NSW and covers areas of Crown Land and water in the vicinity of the town of Cobar, extending from Walgett and Bourke, in the north to Hillston and Ivanhoe in the south. The application falls within the Local Government Areas of Bourke, Bogan, Brewarrina, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Walgett and Warren Shire Councils. Not all land can be claimed and freehold land is excluded.

As the Registrar of the National Native Title Tribunal has accepted this claim for registration, the Registrar is required to advise that a native title determination application has been made.

The notification period runs from 5th September 2012 until 4th December 2012. Council is invited to register as a party to the application, as it has already identified that the claim will affect some areas of Crown land under council’s control, such as Trida Public Hall and Ivanhoe Reserve. Other areas are expected to be affected but yet to be identified.

Bourke Shire Council have sought their own legal opinion on the matter, and General Manager, Mr. Geoff Wise, has provided advice advising that council should nominate to become a party to the application.

Central Darling Shire Council will receive a recommendation at the 25th September meeting that it would be in Council’s best interest to register to become a party because it will give Council the opportunity to participate in the process if required.

(MAP shows are of the native title claim NSD 415/2012 lodged by the Ngemba, Ngiyampaa, Wangaaypuwan and Wayilwan.)

The claim follows the shire boundary down as far as near Tasman and then heads down to take in Ivanhoe.