Miller on behalf of the Birriah People v State of Queensland
[2016] FCA 271
•23 March 2016
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
Miller on behalf of the Birriah People v State of Queensland [2016] FCA 271
File number:
QUD 6244 of 1998
Judge:
LOGAN J
Date of judgment:
23 March 2016
Legislation:
Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)ss23B, 23B(2), 23B(3), 23B(7), 23C(2), 24IB, 24ID(1)(b),31, 47, 47A, 47B, 56(2)(b), 56(3), 57(1), 61A, 212(2), 232B, 251D, 253
Native Title (Qld) Act 1993ss 13AA, 18, 20, 21
Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld)
Petroleum Act 1923 (Qld)
Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (Qld)
Cases cited:
Archer on behalf of the Djungan People #1 v State of Queensland [2012] FCA 801
Baker on behalf of the Muluridji People v State of Queensland [2011] FCA 1432
Cox on behalf of the Yungngora People v State of Western Australia [2007] FCA 588
Fisher on behalf of the Ewamian People #2 v State of Queensland [2013] FCA 1249
Hoolihan on behalf of the Gugu Badhun People # 2 v State of Queensland [2012] FCA 800;
King v Northern Territory of Australia [2011] FCA 582
Lovett on behalf of theGunditjmara People v State of Victoria [2007] FCA 474
Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v State of Victoria (2002) 214 CLR 422
Moses v State of Western Australia [2007] FCAFC 78
Munn (for and on behalf of the Gunggari People) v Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109
Smith v State of Western Australia (2000) 104 FCR 494
Date of hearing:
23 March 2016
Registry:
Queensland
Division:
General Division
National Practice Area:
Native Title
Category:
No Catchwords
Number of paragraphs:
46
Solicitor for the Applicants:
Michael Owens Lawyer & Consultant
Solicitor for the First Respondent:
Crown Law
Solicitor for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Respondents:
Gilkerson Legal
Solicitor for the Seventh, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-First Respondents:
MacDonnells Law
Solicitor for the Eighth Respondent:
Herbert Smith Freehills
Solicitor for the Ninth, Tenth and Eighteenth Respondents:
Allens
Solicitor for the Eleventh Respondent:
QCoal Pty Ltd c/o Holding Redlich Lawyers
Solicitor for the Twelfth, to Seventeenth, Twenty-Second to Thirty-Fourth, Thirty-Seventh and Thirty-Eighth Respondents:
Thynne & Macartney
Solicitor for the Thirty-Fifth Respondent:
Ashurst Australia (Melbourne)
Solicitor for the Thirty-Sixth Respondent:
Boulton Cleary & Kern Lawyers
Table of Corrections
5 April 2016
In paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 4 – Other Interests in the Determination Area, “24 and 25 February 2016” has been inserted after “the State of Queensland on”.
5 April 2016
In paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 4 – Other Interests in the Determination Area, “24 February 2016” has been inserted after “the State of Queensland on”.
ORDERS
QUD 6244 of 1998
BETWEEN:
DAVID MILLER AND OTHERS ON BEHALF OF THE BIRRIAH PEOPLE
First Applicant
FRANK FISHER
Second Applicant
COLIN McLENNAN(and others named in the Schedule)
Third Applicant
AND:
STATE OF QUEENSLAND
First Respondent
BURDEKIN SHIRE COUNCIL
Second Respondent
CHARTERS TOWERS REGIONAL COUNCIL (and others named in the Schedule)
Third Respondent
JUDGE:
LOGAN J
DATE OF ORDER:
23 MARCH 2016
BEING SATISFIED that an order in the terms set out below is within the power of the Court, and it appearing appropriate to the Court to do so, pursuant to s 87A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)
BY CONSENT THE COURT ORDERS THAT:
1.There be a determination of native title in the terms set out below (the “determination”).
2.The exercise of the native title rights and interests referred to in paragraph 8 of the determination in relation to Lot 3 on Plan SP149509 be suspended for a period of nine months from the date of the determination or until the indigenous land use agreement referred to in paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 4 is registered (whichever occurs first).
3.The exercise of the native title rights and interests referred to in paragraph 9 of the determination in relation to Lot 20 on Plan G112828 be suspended for a period of nine months from the date of the determination or until the indigenous land use agreement referred to in paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 4 is registered (whichever occurs first).
4.Each party to the proceedings is to bear its own costs.
BY CONSENT THE COURT DETERMINES THAT:
5.The Determination Area is the land and waters described in Schedule 1, and depicted in the map attached to Schedule 1. To the extent of any inconsistency between the written description and the map, the written description prevails.
6.Native title exists in relation to that part of the Determination Area described in Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 1.
7.The native title is held by the Birriah People described in Schedule 3 (the “native title holders”).
8.Subject to paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 below the nature and extent of the native title rights and interests in relation to the land and waters described in Part 1 of Schedule 1 are:
(a)other than in relation to Water, the right to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the area to the exclusion of all others; and
(b)in relation to Water, the non-exclusive rights to:
(i)hunt, fish and gather from the Water of the area;
(ii)take and use the Natural Resources of the Water in the area; and
(iii)take and use the Water of the area,
for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes.
9.Subject to paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 below the nature and extent of the native title rights and interests in relation to the land and waters described in Part 2 of Schedule 1 are the non-exclusive rights to:
(a)access, be present on, move about on and travel over the area;
(b)camp, and for that purpose build temporary shelters;
(c)hunt, fish and gather on the land and waters of the area for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes;
(d)take, use, share and exchange Natural Resources from the land and waters of the area for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes;
(e)take and use the Water of the area for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes;
(f)conduct ceremonies on the area;
(g)be buried and bury native title holders within the area;
(h)maintain places of importance and areas of significance to the native title holders under their traditional laws and customs and protect those places and areas from physical harm;
(i)teach on the area the physical and spiritual attributes of the area;
(j)hold meetings on the area; and
(k)light fires on the area for domestic purposes including cooking, but not for the purpose of hunting or clearing vegetation.
10.The native title rights and interests are subject to and exercisable in accordance with:
(a)the Laws of the State and the Commonwealth;
(b)the traditional laws acknowledged and traditional customs observed by the native title holders; and
(c)the terms and conditions of the agreements referred to in paragraph 1 of Schedule4.
11.The native title rights and interests referred to in paragraphs 8(b) and 9 do not confer possession, occupation, use or enjoyment to the exclusion of all others.
12.There are no native title rights in or in relation to minerals as defined by the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld) and petroleum as defined by the Petroleum Act 1923 (Qld) and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (Qld).
13.The nature and extent of any other interests in relation to the Determination Area (or respective parts thereof) are set out in Schedule 4.
14.The relationship between the native title rights and interests described in paragraphs 8 and 9 and the other interests described in Schedule 4 (the "other interests") is that:
(a)the other interests continue to have effect, and the rights conferred by or held under the other interests may be exercised notwithstanding the existence of the native title rights and interests;
(b)to the extent the other interests are inconsistent with the continued existence, enjoyment or exercise of the native title rights and interests in relation to the land and waters of the Determination Area, the native title continues to exist in its entirety but the native title rights and interests have no effect in relation to the other interests to the extent of the inconsistency for so long as the other interests exist;
(c)the other interests and any activity that is required or permitted by or under, and done in accordance with, the other interests, or any activity that is associated with or incidental to such an activity, prevail over the native title rights and interests and any exercise of the native title rights and interests; and
(d)in relation to pastoral leases wholly or partly within the Determination Area, and without limiting the operation of paragraphs 14(a) to 14(c) above, as set out in Schedule 5.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPETATION
15.In this determination, unless the contrary intention appears:
“land” and “waters”, respectively, have the same meanings as in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth);
“Laws of the State and the Commonwealth” means the common law and the laws of the State of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia, and includes legislation, regulations, statutory instruments, local planning instruments and local laws;
“Natural Resources” means:
(a)any animal, plant, fish and bird life found on or in the lands and waters of the Determination Area; and
(b)any clays, soil, sand, gravel or rock found on or below the surface of the Determination Area,
that have traditionally been taken and used by the native title holders, but does not include:
(a)animals that are the private personal property of another;
(b)crops that are the private personal property of another; and
(c)minerals as defined in the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld) or petroleum as defined in the Petroleum Act 1923 (Qld) and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (Qld);
“Water” means:
(a)water which flows, whether permanently or intermittently, within a river, creek or stream;
(b)any natural collection of water, whether permanent or intermittent; and
(c)water from an underground water source.
Other words and expressions used in this determination have the same meanings as they have in Part 15 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
THE COURT DETERMINES THAT:
16.The native title is held in trust.
17.The Birriah Aboriginal Corporation ICN 8261, incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth), is to:
(a)be the prescribed body corporate for the purpose of ss56(2)(b) and 56(3) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth); and
(b)perform the functions mentioned in s 57(1) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) after becoming a registered native title body corporate.
LIST OF SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 — DETERMINATION AREAix
Schedule 2 — AREAS NOT FORMING PART OF THE DETERMINATION AREAcxvii
Schedule 3 — NATIVE TITLE HOLDERScxxiv
Schedule 4 — OTHER INTERESTS IN THE DETERMINATION AREAcxxv
Schedule 5 – EXERCISE OF NATIVE TITLE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS ON PASTORAL LEASEScxxxiv
SCHEDULE 1 — DETERMINATION AREA
A.Description of Determination Area
The Determination Area comprises all of the land and waters described in Parts 1 and 2 below, to the extent that they are within the external boundary described in Part 3 below, and depicted on the determination map, excluding the areas described in Schedule 2.
Part 1 — Exclusive Areas
All of the land and waters described in the following table and depicted in dark blue on the determination map:
Area description
(as at date of determination)
Determination
map sheet
number
Lot 1 on Plan AP2845
59
That part of Lot 1 on Plan AP10097 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
75
Lot 1 on Plan AP11729
37
Lot 1 on Plan AP13613
58, 59, 60
Lot 1 on Plan AP13640
58
Lot 1 on Plan AP15549
26
Lot 1 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 1 on Plan AP2086
28, 48
Lot 1 on Plan AP2859
38
Lot 1 on Plan AP3534
12
Lot 1 on Plan AP3540
12
Lot 1 on Plan AP9323
12, 23
Lot 1 on Plan BKN26
3
Lot 1 on Plan D9153
40, 41
Lot 1 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 1 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 1 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 1 on Plan M9109
32
Lot 1 on Plan SP247468
38
Lot 10 on Plan AP2789
11, 13
Lot 10 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 10 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 10 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 10 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 10 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 10 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 101 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 101 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 102 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 102 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 103 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 103 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 104 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 104 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 105 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 105 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 106 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 106 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 107 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 107 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 108 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 108 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 109 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 109 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 11 on Plan D91513
41
Lot 11 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 11 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 11 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 11 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 11 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 11 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 110 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 110 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 111 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 111 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 112 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 112 on Plan GS329
32
Lot 112 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 113 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 113 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 114 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 114 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 115 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 115 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 116 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 116 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 117 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 117 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 118 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 118 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 119 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 12 on Plan D9155
39, 40, 41
Lot 12 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 12 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 12 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 12 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 12 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 12 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 120 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 120 on Plan SP143384
28
Lot 121 on Plan SP143384
28
Lot 1246 on Plan MPH4893
4
Lot 1247 on Plan MPH4893
4
Lot 1248 on Plan MPH4893
4
Lot 128 on Plan USL48036
23, 27
Lot 13 on Plan AP15670
5
Lot 13 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 13 on Plan AP9323
12, 23, 25, 26
Lot 13 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 13 on Plan M91012
34, 35
Lot 13 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 13 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 13 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 14 on Plan AP13640 *
59
Lot 14 on Plan D91512
40
Lot 14 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 14 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 14 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 14 on Plan MRY12
48
Lot 14 on Plan USL46733
10, 48
Lot 14 on Plan USL48141
4
Lot 15 on Plan AP13640 *
59
Lot 15 on Plan D9154
42
Lot 15 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 15 on Plan M91012
34, 35
Lot 15 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 15 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 15 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 16 on Plan AP13640
59
Lot 16 on Plan D9154
42
Lot 16 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 16 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 16 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 16 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 16 on Plan USL48171
11
Lot 161 on Plan USL48036
23, 27
Lot 17 on Plan D9154
42
Lot 17 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 17 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 17 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 17 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 17 on Plan USL48036
25
Lot 18 on Plan AP15535
41
Lot 18 on Plan AP3534
12, 22
Lot 18 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 18 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 18 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 18 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 19 on Plan D9155
41
Lot 19 on Plan D9157
40, 41
Lot 19 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 19 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 19 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 2 on Plan AP11729
37
Lot 2 on Plan AP13613
58, 59, 60
Lot 2 on Plan AP15549
26
Lot 2 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 2 on Plan AP3534
12, 22
Lot 2 on Plan AP7731
38
Lot 2 on Plan D9153
40
Lot 2 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 2 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 2 on Plan M91015
32
Lot 2 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 2 on Plan M9109
32
Lot 2 on Plan USL35667
36, 40
Lot 20 on Plan D9155
41
Lot 20 on Plan D9158
40, 41
Lot 20 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 20 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 201 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 201 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 202 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 202 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 203 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 203 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 204 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 204 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 205 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 205 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 206 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 206 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 207 on Plan E4741
25, 26
Lot 207 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 208 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 209 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 21 on Plan AP15671
5, 6
Lot 21 on Plan D9155
41
Lot 21 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 21 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 21 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 210 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 211 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 212 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 213 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 214 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 215 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 216 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 217 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 218 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 218 on Plan SP107454
30
Lot 219 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 219 on Plan SP119463
30
Lot 22 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 22 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 22 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 22 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 220 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 23 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 23 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 23 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 23 on Plan M9108
33
Lot 24 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 24 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 24 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 25 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 26 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 27 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 27 on Plan USL48006
8
Lot 27 on Plan USL48141
4
Lot 28 on Plan D91510
41
Lot 28 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 28 on Plan USL48006
8
Lot 3 on Plan AP15549
26
Lot 3 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 3 on Plan AP3534
11, 12, 22
Lot 3 on Plan AP7731
38, 39
Lot 3 on Plan DK12
69
Lot 3 on Plan DK3
54
Lot 3 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 3 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 3 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 3 on Plan M9107
33
Lot 3 on Plan M9109
32
Lot 3 on Plan SP149509
39
Lot 3 on Plan USL46755
57
Lot 3 on Plan USL48036
23, 27
Lot 301 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 302 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 303 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 304 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 305 on Plan R1628
24
Lot 306 on Plan AP15784
24
Lot 306 on Plan E4741
26
Lot 307 on Plan AP15784
24
Lot 307 on Plan E4741
26
Lot 308 on Plan E4741
26
Lot 309 on Plan E4741
26
Lot 31 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 310 on Plan E4741
26
Lot 311 on Plan E4741
26
Lot 32 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 33 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 34 on Plan AP13540
8
Lot 35 on Plan AP13540
8
Lot 35 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 37 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 38 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 39 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 4 on Plan AP11729
37
Lot 4 on Plan AP13640
60
Lot 4 on Plan AP15535
40, 41
Lot 4 on Plan AP15712
33
Lot 4 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 4 on Plan AP7731
39
Lot 4 on Plan D91513
40, 41
Lot 4 on Plan D9154
42
Lot 4 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 4 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 4 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 4 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 4 on Plan SP149509
39
Lot 40 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 405 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 406 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 407 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 41 on Plan AP15672
6
Lot 41 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 42 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 43 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 43 on Plan USL35659
34
Lot 44 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 45 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 46 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 46 on Plan USL48172
13
Lot 47 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 48 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 49 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 49 on Plan USL45977
11
Lot 5 on Plan AP11729
29, 37
Lot 5 on Plan AP13640
60
Lot 5 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 5 on Plan AP2859
39, 40
Lot 5 on Plan AP7731
39
Lot 5 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 5 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 5 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 5 on Plan USL46755
57
Lot 50 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 501 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 502 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 503 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 504 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 505 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 506 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 507 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 51 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 52 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 53 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 54 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 55 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 56 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 566 on Plan CP893180
46
Lot 57 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 58 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 59 on Plan USL48036
26
Lot 6 on Plan AP11729
29, 37
Lot 6 on Plan D91514
40
Lot 6 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 6 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 6 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 6 on Plan MRY27
51
Lot 61 on Plan AP15673
1, 6, 7
Lot 62 on Plan AP15674
6
Lot 7 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 7 on Plan M91020
34
Lot 7 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 7 on Plan MRY27
51
Lot 7 on Plan USL35667
28
Lot 72 on Plan USL48172
13
Lot 73 on Plan USL48172
13
Lot 74 on Plan USL48036
26
Lot 8 on Plan AP15713
32
Lot 8 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 8 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 80 on Plan USL35658
33
Lot 81 on Plan AP15675
7, 9, 11
Lot 83 on Plan GS736
39
Lot 86 on Plan USL35672
39, 40, 42
Lot 87 on Plan USL35672
42
Lot 9 on Plan AP15858
13
Lot 9 on Plan D91512
40, 42
Lot 9 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 9 on Plan M91011
35
Lot 9 on Plan M9103
34
Lot 90 on Plan USL48036
27
Lot 901 on Plan E4741
25
Lot 91 on Plan AP15676
11
That part of Lot 1 on Plan AP7731 formerly described as Lot 5 on Plan USL35664
38
That part of Lot 3 on Plan AP11729 formerly described as Lot 13 on Plan USL35660
37
That part of Lot 399 on Plan AP2789 which does not include the area of ML 1326 and the area formerly described as Lot 399 on Plan OL87
11, 12, 14
That part of Lot 405 on Plan AP2789 which does not include the area of ML 1326 and the area formerly described as Lot 405 on Plan OL89
11, 12, 13
That part of Lot 539 on Plan AP3540 which does not include the area formerly described as Lot 539 on Plan OL95
12
* denotes areas to which s 24KA of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) applies
Part 2 — Non-Exclusive Areas
All of the land and waters described in the following table and depicted in light blue on the determination map:
Area description
(as at date of determination)
Determination map sheet number
Lot 1 on Plan AP11567
19
Lot 1 on Plan AP11631
57, 63
Lot 1 on Plan AP13573
18
Lot 1 on Plan AP13635
58, 64
Lot 1 on Plan AP13636
63, 64
Lot 1 on Plan AP13637
63
That part of Lot 1 on Plan AP15505 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
30
Lot 1 on Plan AP15923
20
Lot 1 on Plan AP2844 *
61
Lot 1 on Plan AP7728
19
Lot 1 on Plan C74043
59
That part of Lot 1 on Plan CP866146 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
68, 73
Lot 1 on Plan CP884891
75
Lot 1 on Plan DK230
68, 69, 73
Lot 1 on Plan DK265
57, 59
Lot 1 on Plan DK4
52, 55
Lot 1 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 1 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 1 on Plan M9107
33
Lot 1 on Plan MPH23
65
Lot 1 on Plan MPH25896
20
Lot 1 on Plan MPH31062
63
Lot 1 on Plan MPH40566
16
Lot 1 on Plan MPH40906
63
Lot 1 on Plan MRY31
28, 48, 50, 51, 52
Lot 1 on Plan R16227
18
Lot 1 on Plan SB24
28, 29, 31, 32
Lot 1 on Plan SP108591 *
53
Lot 1 on Plan SP108602 *
1
Lot 10 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 10 on Plan AP13640 *
57, 59, 61, 62
Lot 10 on Plan AP19503 *
59
Lot 10 on Plan C8243
6
Lot 10 on Plan DK7
54
Lot 10 on Plan GS46
11
Lot 10 on Plan GS894
29, 32
Lot 10 on Plan MPH40596
62
Lot 10 on Plan SP143787
37
Lot 109 on Plan DK111
65
Lot 109 on Plan R16220
14, 15
Lot 11 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 11 on Plan AP13640
62
Lot 11 on Plan C7406
61
Lot 11 on Plan DK112
54
Lot 11 on Plan GS1065
10
Lot 11 on Plan GS1095
18, 19
Lot 11 on Plan MPH25920
19, 21
Lot 11 on Plan MPH40434
19
That part of Lot 11 on Plan SP208044 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
73, 75
Lot 111 on Plan AP15677
12, 14, 16
Lot 111 on Plan CP851562
57, 63
Lot 112 on Plan AP15754
20, 21
Lot 113 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 114 on Plan MPH25920
20, 21
Lot 114 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 115 on Plan MPH25920
20, 21
Lot 115 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 116 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 117 on Plan R16210
20
Lot 117 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 118 on Plan R16210
20
Lot 118 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 119 on Plan MPH40565
19
Lot 119 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 12 on Plan AP13640 *
59
Lot 12 on Plan CP865773
48, 49, 50
Lot 12 on Plan MPH40434
19
That part of Lot 12 on Plan SB768 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
28, 29, 31
Lot 120 on Plan R16220
14
Lot 122 on Plan MPH40565
18
Lot 127 on Plan USL46685
61, 65
Lot 13 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 13 on Plan AP13640 *
59
Lot 13 on Plan GS1083
40
Lot 13 on Plan HLN253
68, 73, 74
Lot 13 on Plan HR1842
46
Lot 13 on Plan MPH40434
19
Lot 14 on Plan AP13525
57, 64
Lot 14 on Plan D9154
42
Lot 14 on Plan HLN253
66, 73, 74
Lot 14 on Plan MPH40434
19
That part of Lot 14 on Plan SP271185 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
68, 70, 71, 72, 73
Lot 14 on Plan SB413
45, 46, 54, 56
Lot 142 on Plan GS890
32
Lot 149 on Plan S7427
63
That part of Lot 1496 on Plan CP851494 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
48, 51, 52
Lot 15 on Plan AP13636
57, 64
Lot 15 on Plan AP5727
65
Lot 15 on Plan C74049
58
Lot 15 on Plan MPH31317
63
Lot 15 on Plan MPH40434
19
Lot 150 on Plan GS896
31, 32
Lot 151 on Plan GS899
32
That part of Lot 1510 on Plan SP171920 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
68, 70
That part of Lot 1522 on Plan SP272352 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
66, 73
That part of Lot 156 on Plan CP826173 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
31
Lot 157 on Plan CP826173
31
Lot 158 on Plan SP105722
1, 4, 5
Lot 16 on Plan AP13185
75
Lot 16 on Plan AP13636
63, 64
Lot 16 on Plan C74042
58, 59
Lot 16 on Plan MPH31317
63
Lot 16 on Plan MPH31319
63
Lot 17 on Plan AP13185
75
Lot 17 on Plan AP13636
63, 64
Lot 17 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 17 on Plan MPH31317
63
Lot 17 on Plan MPH31319
63
Lot 172 on Plan MPH13509
59
Lot 177 on Plan GS804485
30
Lot 18 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 18 on Plan C74017
61, 62
Lot 18 on Plan C74030
57
Lot 18 on Plan DK17
55
Lot 18 on Plan GS972
16
Lot 18 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 18 on Plan M9106
33
Lot 18 on Plan MPH31061
63
Lot 19 on AP5727
65
Lot 19 on Plan C74048
58
Lot 19 on Plan DK180
59
Lot 19 on Plan GS1001
12
Lot 19 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 19 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 19 on Plan R16224
14, 15, 18
Lot 198 on Plan MPH13509 *
59
Lot 2 on Plan CP850644
19
Lot 2 on Plan AP11631
57, 63
Lot 2 on Plan AP13635
57, 58, 60, 61, 64, 65
Lot 2 on Plan AP13636
63, 64
Lot 2 on Plan AP13637
63
Lot 2 on Plan AP2844 *
61
Lot 2 on Plan BKN35
1
Lot 2 on Plan CP866147
68, 69, 73
Lot 2 on Plan DK232
52, 54, 55, 68
Lot 2 on Plan GS650
10
Lot 2 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 2 on Plan HLN196
67
Lot 2 on Plan K103702
1, 8
Lot 2 on Plan M91019
34
Lot 2 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 2 on Plan M9107
33
Lot 2 on Plan R16227
18
Lot 2 on Plan SB25
28, 29, 36, 37
Lot 2 on Plan SM48
54
Lot 2 on Plan SM72
28, 43
That part of Lot 2 on Plan SM9 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
52
That part of Lot 2 on Plan SP104779 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
73
Lot 20 on Plan EP1671
4
Lot 20 on Plan G112828
75
Lot 20 on Plan GS35
12
Lot 20 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 20 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 202 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 204 on Plan R16210
20
Lot 21 on Plan BKN113
1
Lot 21 on Plan C74013
60
Lot 21 on Plan C74036
59
Lot 21 on Plan D9158
39, 40
Lot 21 on Plan G112827
75
Lot 21 on Plan M2612
4
Lot 21 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 21 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 21 on Plan R16221
18
Lot 210 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 22 on Plan D9159
39, 40
Lot 22 on Plan DK249
57
Lot 22 on Plan DK252
61
Lot 22 on Plan GS43
21
Lot 22 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 2245 on Plan SP250322
28, 48
Lot 23 on Plan C74044
59
Lot 23 on Plan C74048
58
Lot 23 on Plan D9157
40
Lot 23 on Plan DK279
54
Lot 23 on Plan MPH25916
18
Lot 24 on Plan AP17229
59
Lot 24 on Plan C8280
12
Lot 24 on Plan DK190
59, 60
Lot 24 on Plan M9108
33
Lot 25 on Plan O2951
2
Lot 25 on Plan T3491
13
Lot 26 on Plan BKN137
2
Lot 26 on Plan SP106412
64
Lot 27 on Plan DK46
65
Lot 27 on Plan SP101002
3
Lot 27 on Plan SP106412
64
Lot 28 on Plan BKN150
2
Lot 28 on Plan DK65
61
Lot 28 on Plan EP1054
1
Lot 28 on Plan R16214
15
Lot 2890 on Plan CP904534
1
Lot 29 on Plan D91510
41
Lot 293 on Plan SP112737
4
Lot 3 on Plan AP11631
57, 63
Lot 3 on Plan AP13635
58, 60
Lot 3 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 3 on Plan AP13637
63
Lot 3 on Plan BKN28
8
Lot 3 on Plan CP826172
54
That part of Lot 3 on Plan CP851492 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
50, 51
Lot 3 on Plan DK114
52, 55
Lot 3 on Plan EP563
5
Lot 3 on Plan GS949
42
That part of Lot 3 on Plan HLN19 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
73
Lot 3 on Plan K103839
54
Lot 3 on Plan M9102
35
Lot 3 on Plan MPH20125 *
61
Lot 3 on Plan SB30
28, 36
Lot 3 on Plan SB43
28
Lot 3 on Plan SP132678
28, 44, 53, 54, 55
That part of Lot 3 on Plan SP235898 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
68, 69, 70, 71, 72
Lot 3 on Plan SP268346
10, 22, 48, 49
Lot 30 on Plan D91510
41
Lot 30 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 304 on Plan SP142947
16
Lot 305 on Plan AP15783
16
Lot 31 on Plan DK217
60
Lot 316 on Plan SP112738
3
Lot 32 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 33 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 3351 on Plan SP263506
10, 28, 48, 49, 52
That part of Lot 3357 on Plan SP104779 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
73
Lot 34 on Plan G112842
75
Lot 34 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 34 on Plan MPH13515
60
Lot 35 on Plan M2611
4
That part of Lot 3540 on Plan PH2135 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
52
That part of Lot 36 on Plan HR1868 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
47
Lot 36 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 364 on Plan OL76
22
Lot 37 on Plan DK104
65
Lot 37 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 38 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 382 on Plan OL77
10, 12, 22, 23, 24, 25
Lot 386 on Plan AP2788
8
Lot 386 on Plan OL78
8
Lot 3867 on Plan SP169835
1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Lot 3868 on Plan SP169835 *
5
Lot 387 on Plan AP4710
11, 12, 22
Lot 39 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 393 on Plan OL81
10, 23
Lot 3941 on Plan SP256887
1, 6, 8
Lot 395 on Plan AP2789
11
Lot 396 on Plan OL86
11
Lot 4 on Plan AP11631
57, 63,
Lot 4 on Plan AP13636
63, 64
Lot 4 on Plan AP13637
63
Lot 4 on Plan BKN133
8
Lot 4 on Plan CP815690
59
Lot 4 on Plan CP817140
54
Lot 4 on Plan DK114
55
Lot 4 on Plan EP1159
4
Lot 4 on Plan G112858
75
Lot 4 on Plan GS926
10, 23
Lot 4 on Plan GS949
42
Lot 4 on Plan HLN240
73, 74
Lot 4 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 4 on Plan MPH25920
21
Lot 4 on Plan SM55
53
Lot 4 on Plan SM60
53
That part of Lot 4 on Plan SM7 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
51, 52
Lot 4 on Plan SP263501
14, 15, 16, 18
Lot 40 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 400 on Plan OL88
12, 22
Lot 4004 on Plan SP242524
1, 8
Lot 401 on Plan AP15783
16
Lot 402 on Plan R16220
16
Lot 4026 on Plan SP112067
1, 6, 10
Lot 403 on Plan R16220
16
Lot 405 on Plan R16210
18
Lot 406 on Plan OL90
10
Lot 406 on Plan R16210
18
Lot 407 on Plan OL91
10, 23
Lot 407 on Plan R16210
18
Lot 4075 on Plan CP904535
1, 9, 11, 22
Lot 408 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 4091 on Plan SP273452
1, 5, 6
Lot 41 on Plan G112826
75
Lot 410 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 4132 on Plan PH2187
1, 10
That part of Lot 4192 on Plan PH1188 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
46
Lot 42 on Plan DK55
57
Lot 43 on Plan DK55
57
Lot 45 on Plan SP132678 *
44
Lot 45 on Plan SP184781
61
Lot 4548 on Plan PH2196
1, 6, 8
Lot 4577 on Plan SP112068
6
Lot 46 on Plan G112843
75
Lot 46 on Plan GS1090
10, 11
That part of Lot 4611 on Plan SP270181 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
66
Lot 4644 on Plan PH901
48, 52
Lot 4851 on Plan SP242547
10, 22, 23
Lot 4898 on Plan PH2205
52
Lot 4899 on Plan SP270185
28, 45
Lot 4908 on Plan SP242547
10, 22
Lot 4914 on Plan SP255401
54, 55
That part of Lot 4924 on Plan SP262313 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
1
Lot 4942 on Plan SP250583
3
Lot 4946 on Plan DK279
54, 57
Lot 4987 on Plan SP250322
10, 28, 36, 38, 39, 40, 48
Lot 5 on Plan AP11631 *
57, 58, 63, 64
Lot 5 on Plan AP13635
64, 65
Lot 5 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 5 on Plan AP13637
63, 64
Lot 5 on Plan BKN134
8
Lot 5 on Plan CP884891
75
Lot 5 on Plan K103312
14, 15
Lot 5 on Plan M9104
34
That part of Lot 5 on Plan SM7 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
52
Lot 5 on Plan SP268346
1, 22
Lot 50 on Plan C74044
59
Lot 501 on Plan R16210
18
Lot 501 on Plan R16220
16
Lot 5015 on Plan SP104511
1, 7, 9, 11, 22
Lot 5016 on Plan CP904533
1, 6, 7, 9, 11
Lot 502 on Plan R16220
16
Lot 503 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 503 on Plan R16220
16
Lot 504 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 505 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 505 on Plan R16210
18
Lot 506 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 506 on Plan R16210
18
Lot 507 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 508 on Plan E4741
27
Lot 508 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 509 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 51 on Plan MPH25920
19
Lot 510 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 511 on Plan PH459
1, 2
Lot 5188 on Plan SP250844
1, 3
Lot 5347 on Plan SP260076
28
Lot 5348 on Plan SP260076
28
Lot 56 on Plan MPH25920
19
Lot 56 on Plan S7427
63
Lot 57 on Plan G112837
75
Lot 57 on Plan MPH25920
19, 21
Lot 58 on Plan G112837
75
Lot 58 on Plan G112842
75
Lot 58 on Plan MPH25920
19, 21
Lot 58 on Plan SP143789
36, 37, 38, 39
Lot 59 on Plan DK66
64
Lot 59 on Plan MPH25920
19, 21
Lot 59 on Plan SP107461
28, 36, 39
Lot 6 on Plan AP11631 *
63
Lot 6 on Plan AP13635
64
Lot 6 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 6 on Plan AP13637
64
Lot 6 on Plan DK1
54
Lot 6 on Plan GS409
29
Lot 6 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 6 on Plan SB25
29
Lot 60 on Plan MPH25920
19, 21
Lot 60 on Plan SP107461
28
Lot 61 on Plan DK155
54
Lot 618 on Plan SP271121
54, 55
Lot 62 on Plan SP248717
54, 68, 69
Lot 638 on Plan PH2084
54, 66, 73
Lot 64 on Plan DK77
57, 59
Lot 64 on Plan G112832
75
Lot 648 on Plan PH63
52, 55
That part of Lot 682 on Plan CP906890 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
72, 73
Lot 7 on Plan AP11631
57
Lot 7 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 7 on Plan AP13637
63, 64
Lot 7 on Plan AP13640
59
Lot 7 on Plan D91513
41
Lot 7 on Plan GS1064
10, 29, 36, 38
Lot 7 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 7 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 7 on Plan MPH40566
14
Lot 7 on Plan SB730
28, 36
Lot 7 on Plan SM69
43
Lot 7 on Plan SP112066
6
Lot 701 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 702 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 703 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 704 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 706 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 708 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 709 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 71 on Plan FTY1209
54, 56
That part of Lot 71 on Plan GS801636 that is within the external boundary described in Part 3
10
Lot 710 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 711 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 712 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 713 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 714 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 715 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 716 on Plan R16218
18
Lot 73 on Plan DK104
65
Lot 73 on Plan MPH13515
60
Lot 74 on Plan MPH13515
60
Lot 75 on Plan MPH13515
60
Lot 76 on Plan GS612
38
Lot 8 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 8 on Plan AP13637
63, 64
Lot 8 on Plan AP13640 *
61
Lot 8 on GS286
12
Lot 8 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 8 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 8 on Plan R16221
18
Lot 8 on Plan SP104504
1, 6, 7, 10
Lot 80 on Plan CP903173
57, 59
Lot 80 on GS634
38
Lot 801 on Plan R16218
15, 18
Lot 802 on Plan R16218
15, 18
Lot 803 on Plan R16218
15, 18
Lot 804 on Plan R16218
15, 18
Lot 805 on Plan R16218
15, 18
Lot 806 on Plan R16218
15, 18
Lot 807 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 808 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 809 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 81 on Plan CP903172
57
Lot 810 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 82 on Plan M2611
4
Lot 85 on Plan MPH40507 *
59
Lot 88 on Plan SP106415
58
Lot 89 on Plan SP232119
58
Lot 9 on Plan AP13636
64
Lot 9 on Plan AP13637
63
Lot 9 on Plan AP13640
61
Lot 9 on Plan C7406
61
Lot 9 on Plan GS903
31
Lot 9 on Plan M91012
35
Lot 9 on Plan M9104
34
Lot 9 on Plan MRY33
50
Lot 9 on Plan SP235000
46
Lot 9 on Plan SP270185 *
28
Lot 901 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 902 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 903 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 904 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 905 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 906 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 907 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 910 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 911 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 912 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 913 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 914 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 915 on Plan R16218
15
Lot 98 on Plan DK53
57
An area identified as road (part of Walker Street) and delineated by stations 15-16-17-37a-37-38-45-15 on Plan SP106415 *
58
An area identified as road (part of Collinsville – Elphinstone Road) and formerly described as Lot 1 on SP171919 *
71
An area identified as New Road (part of Collinsville – Elphinstone Road) and delineated by stations 213-212-20-26-32-38-44-9-8-45-39-33-27-21-213 on Plan SP225054 *
71
An area identified as New Road and delineated by stations 9a-10-11-35-15-36-18-19-20a-9a on Plan SP271185 *
72
An area identified as roadand delineated by stations A-B-C-D-A on Plan SP111980 *
1
An area identified as road (part of Flinders Highway) and delineated by stations A-B-C-D-G-J-K-H-A on Plan SP101002 *
3
An area identified as road (part of Flinders Highway) and formerly described as Lot 315 on Plan SP112738 *
3
An area identified as road and delineated by stations D-E-F-G-D on Plan SP104504 *
1, 7
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 1 on Plan AP2101 *
8
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 2 on Plan AP2101 *
8
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 1 on Plan AP2082 *
11
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 2 on Plan AP2082 *
11
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 1 on AP2789 *
14
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 1 on Plan AP2790 *
12, 23
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 1 on Plan AP2080 *
22
An area identified as road and formerly described as Lot 1 on Plan AP2081 *
22
An area identified as road (part of Ayr – Dalbeg Road) and formerly described as Lot 9 on Plan SP143786 *
37
An area identified as road (part of Ayr – Dalbeg Road) and formerly described as Lot 13 on Plan SP143787 *
37
An area identified as road (part of Ayr – Dalbeg Road) and formerly described as Lot 15 on Plan SP143789 *
37
An area identified as road (part of Bowen Developmental Road) and formerly described as Lot 1 on SP240432 *
56
An area identified as road (part of Bowen Developmental Road) and formerly described as Lot 2 on SP240432 *
56
An area identified as road (part of Bowen Developmental Road) and formerly described as Lot 4 on SP240432 *
56
An area identified as road (part of Corduroy Creek Road) and formerly described as Lot 12 on Plan AP13525 *
64
Areas identified as roads and delineated by stations A-B-C-D-A, F-E-H-G-F and J-K-L-M-J on Plan SP112066 *
1, 6
That part of Lot 1 on Plan AP7731 formerly described as Lot 2 on Plan AP2859
38
That part of Lot 122 on Plan SP153757 identified by stations 10-11-15-10 to the north-east of Easement AA on Plan SP196126
54
That part of Lot 141 on Plan NPW1152 formerly described as Lot 141 on Plan NPW679
46
That part of Lot 19 on Plan CP857101 which does not include the areas identified as a Ten Chain Road and part of the Flinders Highway on Plan BKN69 and as Roads to be Closed on Plan RA1589
1, 3, 4
That part of Lot 2 on Plan S7426 which does not include the area described in Schedule 2
63
That part of Lot 26 on Plan DK276 which does not include the area described in Schedule 2
57
That part of Lot 26 on Plan GS1023 which does not include the area formerly described as MHL 156 on Plan MPH25900
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
That part of Lot 3 on Plan AP11729 which does not include the area formerly described as Lot 1 on Plan PER6640
37
That part of Lot 3 on Plan R16236 which does not include the area formerly described as MHL 156 on Plan MPH25900
20
That part of Lot 32 on Plan DK92 which does not include the area described in Schedule 2
64
That part of Lot 399 on Plan AP2789 that is subject to an area identified as ML 1326 and an area formerly described as Lot 399 on Plan OL87
10, 11, 14
That part of Lot 405 on Plan AP2789 that is subject to an area identified as ML 1326 and an area formerly described as Lot 405 on Plan OL89
10, 11, 13
That part of Lot 539 on Plan AP3540 formerly described as Lot 539 on Plan OL95
10, 12, 13
Save for any waters forming part of a lot on plan, all waterways, natural lakes, creeks and rivers within the external boundary described in Part 3 including but not limited to: Barrabas Creek, the Bogie River, the Bowen River, Brittany Creek, the Broken River, Buchanan Creek, the Burdekin River, Carpet Snake Creek, Cerito Creek, Connolly Creek, Corduroy Creek, Crush Creek, Dead Man Creek, Eight Mile Creek, the Elliot River, Elphinstone Creek, Emu Creek, Euri Creek, Expedition Pass Creek, the Fanning River, Frederick Creek, Glenmore Creek, Green Creek, Gibraltar Creek, the Haughton River, the Kirk River, Kirknie Creek, Landers Creek, Millaroo Creek, Oakey Creek, One Mile Creek, Pandanus Creek, Parakeet Creek, Pelican Creek, Pink Lily Lagoon, Plum Tree Creek, Sandalwood Creek, Sandy Creek, Slaughteryard Creek, Suhr Creek and Swans Lagoon
* denotes areas to which s 24KA of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) applies
Part 3 – External Boundary Description
Commencing at a point on the centreline of the Burdekin River at Longitude 146.407413° East, a point on the boundary of native title determination application QUD80/05 Gudjala People (QC05/6) as accepted for registration by the NNTT on 22 April 2005 and extending generally northeasterly along boundaries of that native title determination application through the following coordinate points:
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
146.416086
19.985842
146.429911
19.965524
146.473331
19.911258
146.523795
19.880315
146.563847
19.862509
146.601231
19.849477
146.614965
19.846002
then generally easterly and generally southeasterly through the following coordinate points:
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
146.634938
19.840948
146.695907
19.833473
146.763284
19.827504
146.812475
19.824020
146.834858
19.823719
146.839520
19.822980
146.847118
19.819992
146.857378
19.814739
146.871291
19.810022
146.884634
19.808172
146.898609
19.808032
146.909544
19.807921
146.921088
19.807804
146.932688
19.811693
146.949564
19.820395
146.957787
19.824602
146.977406
19.836420
146.995187
19.847111
147.016671
19.861194
147.035600
19.866711
147.057647
19.877346
147.069902
19.883508
147.076782
19.896030
147.082402
19.905702
147.094708
19.918733
147.110247
19.936310
147.126912
19.951580
147.145379
19.965108
147.165639
19.976322
147.179809
19.987033
147.182781
19.988564
147.193926
19.994307
147.206742
19.996441
147.229866
19.995497
147.252990
19.995860
147.270637
19.995634
147.284633
19.995453
147.302938
19.998079
147.327918
19.999467
147.351133
20.004312
147.373154
20.010315
147.397631
20.016852
147.422122
20.025104
147.443563
20.032250
147.461952
20.038863
147.477961
20.048372
147.493994
20.059026
147.510607
20.067950
147.534574
20.079055
147.555432
20.086765
147.584900
20.098352
147.612466
20.105950
147.646114
20.112874
147.681103
20.125499
147.713519
20.131280
147.746609
20.139907
147.772380
20.148076
147.798701
20.153365
147.821432
20.161576
147.850806
20.166802
147.874685
20.171545
147.904038
20.175614
147.929141
20.180326
147.953092
20.187919
147.973352
20.190211
then southwesterly to the intersection of an eastern bank of Euri Creek and a southern boundary of Mt Aberdeen Road reserve; then generally southerly along eastern banks of that creek to a northern boundary of Lot 38 on RP908340; then westerly along northern boundaries of that lot to the northeastern most corner of Lot 161 on SP122361; then generally southerly along eastern boundaries of that lot to the northern boundary of an unnamed road reserve at Latitude 20.301603° South; then southerly to the intersection of a southern boundary of that road reserve and the western boundary of another unnamed road reserve at Longitude 147.930488° East, Latitude 20.302171° South; then generally southwesterly along western boundaries of that unnamed road reserve to Latitude 20.305425° South, being a corner of a western boundary of native title determination application QUD6023/99 Gia People (QC99/24) as accepted for registration by the NNTT on 7 October 2004; again southwesterly along western boundaries of that unnamed road reserve to the northern bank of the Bogie River; then generally southeasterly along northern and eastern banks of that river to the southwestern most corner of Lot 5 on RP908355; then generally easterly, generally southeasterly and generally southwesterly along eastern boundaries of Lot 34 on HR1358 to an eastern boundary of Normanby Road reserve; then generally southerly along eastern boundaries of that road reserve to a western boundary of Lot 3 on HLN243; then generally northeasterly and generally southeasterly along northern boundaries of that lot to the northwestern most corner of Lot 4 on HLN248; then generally easterly, generally southerly and again generally easterly along northern and eastern boundaries of that lot to the western boundary of an unnamed road reserve at Longitude 148.306913° East; then easterly to the northern boundary of that road reserve at Longitude 148.308779° East; then generally easterly, generally southwesterly and again generally easterly along eastern boundaries of that road reserve to a western boundary of Lot 4611 on PH1535 (Mount Crompton Pastoral Holding); then generally southerly and generally easterly along western and southern boundaries of that lot to its southern most southeastern corner; then generally southwesterly through the following coordinate points:
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
148.346562
20.825836
148.328231
20.853924
148.307467
20.887850
148.286743
20.927596
148.268468
20.964993
148.250184
21.002388
148.235545
21.031604
148.217284
21.076961
148.215213
21.081956
148.214411
21.083889
148.197838
21.123860
148.177147
21.175238
148.162832
21.221641
148.146892
21.269584
148.134672
21.305785
148.124952
21.331620
148.121914
21.339330
148.118495
21.348010
148.117124
21.351488
148.116997
21.351812
148.115834
21.354763
then northwesterly through the following coordinate points to the northeastern corner of QUD6230/98 Jangga People (QC98/10) as accepted for registration by the NNTT on 19 October 2004
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
148.105965
21.349136
148.105722
21.348997
then generally northwesterly along boundaries of that native title determination application through the following coordinate points:
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
148.034572
21.315974
148.010434
21.305170
147.969782
21.291235
147.951109
21.282499
147.928638
21.266527
147.916374
21.259376
147.899767
21.250141
147.882577
21.234604
147.864779
21.218489
147.847596
21.203521
147.829828
21.183967
147.811556
21.167020
147.791196
21.149991
147.773438
21.131577
147.761195
21.118916
147.744091
21.099903
147.727536
21.084380
147.711610
21.071122
147.695697
21.056717
147.677332
21.041151
147.664360
21.028477
then generally northwesterly through the following coordinate points to again a point on the boundary of QUD6230/98 Jangga People (QC98/10):
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
147.660824
21.025023
147.641870
21.007159
147.632739
20.993365
147.624228
20.979574
147.615058
20.971501
147.605516
20.964638
then generally northwesterly along boundaries of that native title determination application passing through the following coordinate points:
Longitude (East)
Latitude (South)
147.602206
20.962258
147.585072
20.950124
147.566109
20.936257
147.549622
20.921262
147.531275
20.908541
147.511086
20.895803
147.489063
20.882476
147.471947
20.870901
147.454215
20.859891
147.432825
20.845989
147.410820
20.832650
147.382493
20.819079
147.356993
20.805879
147.334377
20.793667
147.316057
20.782635
147.295263
20.773295
147.275702
20.763962
147.258630
20.754968
147.245779
20.747956
147.233562
20.741255
147.214601
20.734208
147.191982
20.724833
147.174847
20.719516
147.155827
20.713230
147.131388
20.707633
147.108734
20.702248
147.087902
20.698595
147.067658
20.692528
147.043246
20.685527
147.015126
20.676062
146.994318
20.671251
146.972313
20.664136
146.956424
20.658803
146.943613
20.652933
then northwesterly to a western boundary of Lot 13 on MRY51 at Latitude 20.652816° South; then generally northerly along western boundaries of that lot to the centreline of the Burdekin River; then generally northwesterly along the centreline of that river back to the commencement point.
Reference datum
Geographical coordinates have been provided by the NNTT Geospatial Unit and are referenced to the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94), in decimal degrees and are based on the spatial reference data acquired from the various custodians at the time.
Data Reference and source
Amended QUD6244/98 Birri People (QC98/12) boundary data compiled by NNTT.
Abutting application boundary data compiled by NNTT based on data sourced from the Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Water (Queensland).
Cadastre and watercourse data sourced from Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Water, Queensland (December 2003).
Parts of the centreline of the Burdekin River and Euri Creek digitised from 1:100,000 topographic image data supplied by Geoimage Pty Ltd under licence from Geoscience Australia (© Commonwealth of Australia).
Use of Coordinates
Where coordinates are used within the description to represent cadastral or topographical boundaries or the intersection with such, they are intended as a guide only. As an outcome to the custodians of cadastral and topographic data continuously recalculating the geographic position of their data based on improved survey and data maintenance procedures, it is not possible to accurately define such a position other than by detailed ground survey.
Prepared by Geospatial Services, NNTT (21 June 2006).
B.Map of Determination Area
SCHEDULE 2 — AREAS NOT FORMING PART OF THE DETERMINATION AREA
The areas described below do not form part of the Determination Area.
Part A
1.Those land and waters within the external boundary described in Part 3 of Schedule 1, which at the time the native title determination application was made:
(a)were the subject of one or more previous exclusive possession acts, as defined in s 23B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (despite the fact that the areas, or parts of them, may have been subject to earlier acts that extinguished native title); and
(b)to which none of ss47, 47A or 47B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) applied,
do not form part of the Determination Area on the basis that they could not be claimed, in accordance with s 61A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
2.Specifically, and to avoid any doubt, the land and waters referred to in paragraph 1 above include the acts described in ss23B(2) and 23B(3) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to which s 20 of the Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 (Qld) applies and include, but are not limited to, the whole of the land and waters described as:
(a)Lot 2 on Plan MRY30;
(b)Lot 9 on Plan DK239;
(c)Lot 22 on Plan C74037;
(d)Lot 77 on Plan GS618;
(e)Lot 152 on Plan GS583;
(f)Lot 40 on Plan RP802431;
(g)Lot 84 on Plan DK178;
(h)Lot 22 on Plan CP857100;
(i)Lot 3 on Plan DK198;
(j)Lot 2 on Plan SP171918;
(k)Lot 12 on Plan SP171912;
(l)Lot 19 on Plan DK205;
(m)Lot 1 on Plan SP271184;
(n)Lot 1026 on Plan MPH40902;
(o)Lot 112 on Plan MPH35514;
(p)Lot 13 on Plan MPH13506;
(q)Lot 14 on Plan MPH13506;
(r)Lot 15 on Plan MPH13506;
(s)Lot 1 on Plan DK261;
(t)Lot 1 on Plan MPH26;
(u)Lot 1 on Plan MPH30800;
(v)Lot 1 on Plan MPH31666;
(w)Lot 1 on Plan MPH34460;
(x)Lot 1 on Plan MPH37;
(y)Lot 1 on Plan MPH40275;
(z)Lot 1 on Plan MPH50;
(aa)Lot 2 on Plan DK835445;
(bb)Lot 2 on Plan MPH13516;
(cc)Lot 2 on Plan MPH34460;
(dd)Lot 36 on Plan MPH20096;
(ee)Lot 39 on MPH20098;
(ff)Lot 3 on Plan MPH13516;
(gg)Lot 3 on Plan MPH20120;
(hh)Lot 40 on Plan MPH20098;
(ii)Lot 41 on Plan MPH20098;
(jj)Lot 43 on Plan MPH20099;
(kk)Lot 48 on Plan MPH13514;
(ll)Lot 4 on Plan MPH20120;
(mm)Lot 70 on Plan MPH30821;
(nn)Lot 74 on Plan DK267;
(oo)Lot 94 on Plan DK804336; and
(pp)Lot 96 on Plan DK257.
3.The land and waters described in paragraph 1 above include the land or waters upon which any public work, as defined in s 253 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), is or was constructed, established, or situated, and to which ss23B(7) and 23C(2) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and/or s21 of the Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 (Qld) applies, together with any adjacent land or waters in accordance with s 251D of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
4.Specifically, and to avoid any doubt, the areas described in paragraph 3 above include but are not limited to the whole of the land and waters described as:
(a)Lot 1 on Plan DK269;
(b)Lot 27 on Plan DK161;
(c)Lot 10 on Plan C7406;
(d)Lot 1 on Plan C74027;
(e)Lot 46 on Plan DK65;
(f)Lot 1 on S7424;
(g)Lot 1 on Plan GS946;
(h)Lot 14 on Plan MRY52;
(i)Lot 10 on Plan MRY33;
(j)Lot 11 on Plan SP171912;
(k)that part of Lot 32 on Plan DK92* commencing at the intersection of the southern boundary of Scottville Road and 586,850.31 mE and extending easterly, southerly and north westerly along the boundaries of Lot 32 on Plan DK92 to a corner of that lot at 586,982.64 mE, 7,725,221.54 mN; then north westerly, northerly and generally westerly passing through the following coordinate points:
Easting mE
Northing mN
586,935.62
7,725,357.38
586,950.64
7,725,498.66
586,911.05
7,725,500.71
586,846.90
7,725,535.5
then northerly back to the commencement point. (Geographical coordinates have been provided by the NNTT Geospatial Services and are referenced to the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94), in Map Grid of Australia, Zone 55 coordinates and are based on the spatial reference data acquired from the various custodians at the time);
(l)that part of Lot 2 on Plan S7426* commencing at the westernmost corner of Lot 2 on Plan S7426 and extending north easterly along the boundary of that lot to 585584.51 mE; then south easterly and south westerly passing through 585,653.44 mE, 7,725,172.49 mN to the intersection of the south western boundary of that lot at 585,587.92mE mE; then generally north westerly along the boundaries of that lot back to the commencement point. (Geographical coordinates have been provided by the NNTT Geospatial Services and are referenced to the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94), in Map Grid of Australia, Zone 55 coordinates and are based on the spatial reference data acquired from the various custodians at the time);
(m)that part of Lot 26 on Plan DK276* commencing at the easternmost corner of Lot 26 on Plan DK276 and extending south westerly along the southeast boundary of that lot to Easting 589367.10 mE; then north westerly, south westerly, again north westerly, north easterly, again north westerly and again north easterly passing through the following coordinate points:
Easting mE
Northing mN
589292.17
7722023.04
587989.39
7721480.75
587945.36
7721656.83
589188.21
7722186.93
589137.63
7722317.12
589228.49
7722356.46
then northerly to the boundary of Lot 26 on Plan DK276 at Easting 589248.15 mE; then easterly along that boundary to Easting 589292.11 mE; then southerly, north easterly and south easterly passing through the following coordinate points:
Easting mE
Northing mN
589274.38
7722385.49
589344.62
7722407.03
589357.73
7722379.84
then north easterly to the boundary of Lot 26 on Plan DK276 at Easting 589575.02 mE; then easterly and south easterly back to the commencement point.(Grid coordinates have been provided by the NNTT Geospatial Services and are referenced to the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94) (Zone 55), in metres and are based on the spatial reference data acquired from the various custodians at the time.)
* areas depicted on the map included in this Part A of Schedule 2. Note that to the extent of any inconsistency between the written description and the map, the written description prevails.
Part B
Land and waters the subject of one or more category A intermediate period acts, as defined in s 232B of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and to which s 13AA of the Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 (Qld) applies (notwithstanding that the areas, or parts of them, may have been subject to an earlier act or acts that extinguished native title), do not form part of the Determination Area. Specifically, and to avoid any doubt, such areas include (but are not limited to) the whole of the land and waters described as:
(a)Lot 1 on Plan DK235; and
(b)Lot 1 on Plan MPH40904.
Part C
Land and waters the subject of pre-existing rights-based acts, as defined in s 24IB of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), which wholly extinguished any native title pursuant to s 24ID(1)(b) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (notwithstanding that the areas, or parts of them, may have been subject to an earlier act or acts that extinguished native title) do not form part of the Determination Area. Specifically, and to avoid any doubt, such areas include (but are not limited to) the whole of the land and waters described as Lot 17 on Plan GS964.
Part D
Land and waters specifically excluded from QUD6244/1998 Birriah People native title determination application (QC98/12) filed on 22 January 2016, being land and waters subject to:
QUD6230/1998 Jangga People (QC98/10) native title determination application, as accepted for registration by the NNTT on 19 October 2004;
QUD6023/1999 Gia People (QC99/24) as accepted for registration by the NNTT on 7 October 2004; and
QUD80/2005 Gudjala People (QC05/6) as accepted for registration by the NNTT on 22 April 2005.
SCHEDULE 3 — NATIVE TITLE HOLDERS
1.The native title holders are the Birriah People. The Birriah People are the biological or adopted descendants of one or more of the following people:
(a)Jinnie Tiers;
(b)Kuburu, the father of Billy Lightning Banbari;
(c)John Smallwood;
(d)Rosie Schilling;
(e)Peggy Barker;
(f)Sambo Callaghan;
(g)Tommy Morgan;
(h)the mother of Lizzie Limburner;
(i)Nellie Skeen or William (Billy) Skeen Snr;
(j)Caroline Roger; or
(k)Maggie or her husband Harry Shepherd (Snr).
SCHEDULE 4 — OTHER INTERESTS IN THE DETERMINATION AREA
The nature and extent of the other interests in relation to the Determination Area are the following as they exist as at the date of the determination:
1.The rights and interests of the parties under the following agreements:
(a)the Birriah People protected areas indigenous land use agreement (body corporate agreement) between David Miller, Colin McLennan, Gracelyn Smallwood, Algon Walsh Jnr, and Frank Fisher on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birriah People, the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation ICN 8261, the State of Queensland, and the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ICN 8261, which agreement was authorised by the native title claim group on 19 December 2015 and executed by David Miller, Colin McLennan, Gracelyn Smallwood, Algon Walsh Jnr, and Frank Fisher on 19 December 2015, the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation ICN 8261 on 15 January 2016, and the State of Queensland on24 and 25 February 2016, and that agreement once it becomes registered as a body corporate indigenous land use agreement following execution of the agreement by the registered native title body corporate;
(b)the Birriah People tenure resolution indigenous land use agreement (body corporate agreement) between David Miller, Colin McLennan, Gracelyn Smallwood, Algon Walsh Jnr, and Frank Fisher on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birriah People, the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation ICN 8261, the State of Queensland, and the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ICN 8261, which agreement was authorised by the native title claim group on 19 December 2015 and executed by David Miller, Colin McLennan, Gracelyn Smallwood, Algon Walsh Jnr, and Frank Fisher on 19 December 2015, the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation ICN 8261 on 15 January 2016, and the State of Queensland on24 February 2016, and that agreement once it becomes registered as a body corporate indigenous land use agreement following execution of the agreement by the registered native title body corporate;
(c)theBirriah People and local government indigenous land use agreement QI2014/090 registered on 19 May 2015;
(d)theBirriah People and Adani Mining North Galilee Basin Rail Project indigenous land use agreement QI2014/080 registered on 24 April 2015;
(e)theBirri People and Comerford indigenous land use agreement QI2011/021 registered on 21 October 2011;
(f)the Hancock Alpha Coal Pty Ltd and Birri Native Title Claim Group indigenous land use agreement QI2011/004 registered on 11 July 2011;
(g)the Burdekin Pipeline indigenous land use agreement QI2005/013 registered on 17 March 2006;
(h)the Birri and Kudjala Peoples Joint indigenous land use agreement – exploration permit backlog project QI2003/039 registered on 23 February 2004; and
(i)theBirri indigenous land use agreement for backlog exploration permits QI2003/032 registered on 11 December 2003.
2.The rights and interests of Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd:
(a)as the holder of exploration permits EPC588, EPC727, EPC734, EPC773, EPC774, EPC964, EPC977, EPC1700 and EPC1914 granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld);
(b)as the holder of mineral development licence MDL368 granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld);
(c)as the holder of mining leases ML1005, ML1006, ML1007, ML1008, ML1037, ML4748, ML4754, ML4771, ML4774, ML1009, ML1015, ML1064, ML4755, ML10111, ML10250, ML10176, ML10316, ML10317, ML10322, ML10333, ML10348, ML10352, ML10361 and ML10362 granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld);
(d)arising under the Deed regarding the inclusion of land pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for EPC 588 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Patrick Walsh, Allan Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland and the associated Exploration Permit Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Patrick Walsh, Allan Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People);
(e)arising under the Deed regarding the renewal of exploration permit(s) pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for EPC 727 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Allan Fisher, Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr and Patrick Walsh on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 18 September 2007 and the associated Exploration Permit Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Allan Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) dated 29 June 2007;
(f)arising under the Deed regarding the renewal of exploration permit(s) pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for EPC 734 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Allan Fisher, Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr and Patrick Walsh on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 18 September 2007 and the associated Exploration Permit Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Allan Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) dated 29 June 2007;
(g)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and renewal(s) of a right to mine pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for ML 10316 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Allan Fisher, Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr and Patrick Walsh on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 16 August 2005 and the associated Mining Lease Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Patrick Walsh, Allan Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People);
(h)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and renewal of a right to mine pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for ML 10333 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 23 November 2010 and the associated Colinta Weir Mining Lease Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) dated 5 October 2010;
(i)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and renewal(s) of a right to mine pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for ML 10336 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 22 November 2010 and the associated Sarum Mining Lease Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) dated 5 October 2010;
(j)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and any subsequent renewal of a right to mine pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for ML 10352 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 12 July 2012 and the associated Eastern Creek Mining Leases Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Colin McLennan, David Miller, Frank Fisher, Heather Tilberoo, Gracelyn Smallwood and Algon Walsh Jnr acting on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) dated 22 May 2012;
(k)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and any subsequent renewal of a right to mine pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for ML 10361 and ML 10362 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) and the State of Queensland dated 12 July 2012 and the associated Eastern Creek Mining Leases Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (formerly Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd), Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant at the time for the Birri People (Frank Fisher, Colin McLennan, David Miller, Gracelyn Smallwood, Heather Tilberoo, Algon Walsh Jnr on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People) dated 22 May 2012;
(l)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and any subsequent renewal of a right to mine pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for ML 10365 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd, Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant for the Birriah People and the State of Queensland dated 18 August 2014 and the associated Mining Lease Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd, Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant for the Birriah People dated 14 July 2014; and
(m)arising under the Deed regarding the grant of a petroleum lease pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for PL 394 between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd, Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited, the applicant for the Birriah People and the State of Queensland dated 18 August 2014 and the associated Petroleum Lease Consent Agreement between Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd, Itochu Coal Resources Australia Pty Limited, ICRA NCA Pty Ltd, Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Limited and the applicant for the Birriah People dated 14 July 2014.
3.The rights and interests of Bowen River Coal Pty Ltd:
(a)as the holder of mining lease ML10345 granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld); and
(b)arising under the Deed regarding the grant and any subsequent renewal of exploration permit(s) pursuant to s 31 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for EPC 586 between QCoal Pty Ltd (and assigned to Bowen River Coal Pty Ltd on 10 December 2009) and Heather Tilberoo, Frank Fisher, Allan Fisher, Colin McLennan, Algon Walsh Jr, Patrick Walsh, David Miller and Grace Smallwood on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People and the State of Queensland dated 2 March 2006 and the associated EPC Agreement between QCoal Pty Ltd and Heather Tilberoo, Frank Fisher, Allan Fisher, Colin McLennan, Algon Walsh Jr, Patrick Walsh, David Miller and Grace Smallwood on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People dated 17 February 2006.
4.The rights and interests of Byerwen Coal Pty Ltd:
(a)as the holder of exploration permit for minerals EPM18548 granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld); and
(b)arising under the EPC Agreement regarding the grant of exploration permit(s) pursuant to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld) for EPC 739 between Christopher Ian Wallin (and assigned to QCoal Pty Ltd on 4 December 2009 and to Byerwen Coal Pty Ltd on 11 December 2009) and Heather Tilberoo, Frank Fisher, Allan Fisher, Colin McLennan, Algon Walsh Jr, Patrick Walsh, David Miller and Grace Smallwood on their own behalf and on behalf of the Birri People dated 17 February 2006.
5.The rights and interests of Drake Coal Pty Ltd as the holder of mining leases ML10349, ML10350 and ML10351 granted pursuant to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld).
6.The rights and interests of Jax Coal Pty Ltd as the holder of mining lease ML10346 granted pursuant to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld).
7.The rights and interests of Pelican Creek Coal Pty Ltd as the holder of exploration permit EPC639 granted pursuant to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld).
8.The rights and interests of Rosella Creek Coal Pty Ltd as the holder of exploration permit EPC768 granted pursuant to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld).
9.The rights and interests of Christopher Ian Wallin as the current lessee under Term Lease No. 230184 over Lot 10 on Plan DK7.
10.The rights and interests of Colinta Holdings Pty Ltd as the current lessee under:
(a)Term Lease No. 235986 over Lot 4914 on Plan SP255401;
(b)Term Lease No. 235865 over Lot 3 on Plan SP235898; and
(c)Term Lease No. 235642 over Lot 14 on Plan SP271185.
11.The rights and interests of Daniel Edward Comerford, Noel James Griffin Comerford, and Errol Henry Comerford as the current lessee under:
(a)Perpetual Lease No. PPL0/235567 over Lots 13 and 14 on Plan HLN253; and
(b)Rolling Term Lease No. TL0/235745 over Lot 2 on SP104779.
12.The rights and interests of Captain Nominees Pty Ltd as the current lessee under:
(a)Rolling Term Lease No. PDH 5/618 over Lot 618 on Plan SP271121; and
(b)Lease No. PDH5/4887 over Lots 3 and 4 on Plan DK114 and Lot 1 on Plan DK4.
13.The rights and interests of Airservices Australia as the current lessee under Term Lease No. 235439 over Lot 23 on Plan DK279.
14.The rights and interests of Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556:
(a)as the owner or operator of telecommunications facilities within the Determination Area;
(b)created pursuant to the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 (Cth), the Telecommunications Act 1975 (Cth), the Australian Telecommunications Corporation Act 1989 (Cth), the Telecommunications Act 1991 (Cth) and the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth), including rights:
(i)to inspect land;
(ii)to install and operate telecommunication facilities; and
(iii)to alter, remove, replace, maintain, repair and ensure the proper functioning of its telecommunications facilities;
(c)for its employees, agents or contractors to access its telecommunication facilities in and in the vicinity of the Determination Area in performance of their duties;
(d)under any lease, licence, access agreement or easement relating to its telecommunications facilities in the Determination Area; and
(e)as the current lessee under Term Lease No. 212386 over Lot 1 on Plan SP108591.
15.The rights and interests of Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ACN 087 646 062:
(a)as the owner and operator of any “Works” as that term is defined in the Electricity Act 1994 (Qld) within the Determination Area;
(b)as a distribution entity and the holder of a distribution authority under the Electricity Act 1994 (Qld);
(c)created under the Electricity Act 1994 (Qld) and the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993 (Qld) including:
(i)rights in relation to any agreement relating to the Determination Area existing or entered into before the date on which these orders are made;
(ii)rights to enter the Determination Area by its employees, agents or contractors to exercise any of the rights and interests referred to in this paragraph; and
(iii)to inspect, maintain and manage any Works in the Determination Area.
16.The rights and interests of Queensland Electricity Transmission Corporation Limited trading as Powerlink Queensland ACN 078 849 233 as an electricity entity exercising statutory functions, powers or rights and as the owner and operator of electricity transmission facilities and associated infrastructure situated upon the Determination Area, including but not limited to the right to enter upon the Determination Area in order to access, use, maintain, repair, replace, upgrade, or otherwise deal with those facilities and infrastructure in accordance with the law.
17.The rights and interests of the State of Queensland and Burdekin Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, and Whitsunday Regional Council to access, use, operate, maintain and control the dedicated roads in the Determination Area and the rights and interests of the public to use and access the roads.
18.The rights and interests of each of Burdekin Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, and Whitsunday Regional Council:
(a)under their local government jurisdiction and functions under the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld), under the Lands Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (Qld) and under any other legislation, for that part of the Determination Area within the area declared to be their respective local government area;
(b)as the:
(i)lessor under any leases which were validly entered into before the date on which these orders are made and whether separately particularised in these orders or not;
(ii)grantor of any licences or other rights and interests which were validly granted before the date on which these orders were made and whether separately particularised in these orders or not;
(iii)holder of any estate or interest in land, including as trustee of any reserves, that exist in the Determination Area;
(c)as the owner and operator of infrastructure, and those facilities and other improvements located in the Determination Area validly constructed or established on or before the date on which these orders are made, including but not limited to:
(i)undedicated but constructed roads except for those not operated by Council;
(ii)water pipelines and water supply infrastructure;
(iii)drainage facilities;
(iv)watering point facilities; and
(v)recreational facilities;
(d)to enter the land for the purposes described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above by its employees, agents or contractors to:
(i)exercise any of the rights and interests referred to in paragraphs 17 and 18 above;
(ii)inspect, maintain and repair the infrastructure, facilities and other improvements referred to in paragraph (c) above;
(iii)undertake operational activities in its capacity as a local government such as feral animal control, weed control, erosion control, waste management and fire management.
19.The rights and interests of the State of Queensland or any other person existing by reason of the force and operation of the laws of the State of Queensland, including those existing by reason of the following legislation or any regulation, statutory instrument, declaration, plan, authority, permit, lease or licence made, granted, issued or entered into under that legislation:
(a)theLand Act 1994 (Qld);
(b)theNature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld);
(c)theForestry Act 1959 (Qld);
(d)theWater Act 2000 (Qld);
(e)thePetroleum Act 1923 (Qld) or Petroleum and Gas Act 2004 (Qld);
(f)theMineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld);
(g)theFisheries Act 1994 (Qld);
(h)theTransport Infrastructure Act 1994 (Qld); and
(i)theSustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld).
20.So far as confirmed pursuant to s 212(2) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and s 18 of the Native Title Act(Queensland) Act 1993 (Qld) as at the date of this determination, any existing public access to, and enjoyment of, the following places in the Determination Area:
(a)waterways;
(b)beds and banks or foreshores of waterways;
(c)stock routes; and
(d)areas that were public places at the end of 31 December 1993.
21.Any other rights and interests:
(a)held by the State of Queensland or Commonwealth of Australia; or
(b)existing by reason of the force and operation of the Laws of the State and the Commonwealth.
SCHEDULE 5 – EXERCISE OF NATIVE TITLE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS ON PASTORAL LEASES
1.Before the native title rights and interests referred to in paragraph 9 of the determination are exercised on a pastoral lease:
(a)the lessee of each pastoral lease situated wholly or partly within the Determination Area (a “Lessee”) must provide the Lessee’s contact details (the “Lessee’s Contact Details”) to the contact person for the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ICN 8261 identified in the corporation extract available from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (the “Birriah Contact Person”) within 60 days of the date of the determination; and
(b)he native title holders, or the Birriah Contact Person, must:
(i)provide at least seven (7) days’ prior notice to a Lessee (by way of the Lessee’s Contact Details) of the native title holders’ intention to exercise their native title rights and interests on the Lessee’s pastoral lease; and
(ii)contact the Lessee to:
(A)discuss any safety issues associated with the proposed exercise of native title rights and interests; and
(B)agree upon a suitable route of access.
2.When the native title right to hunt (referred to in paragraph 9(c) of the determination) is intended to be conducted on a pastoral lease using firearms, it may only be exercised:
(a)in areas where stock are not present; and, for the avoidance of doubt,
(b)if paragraph 1(b) above has been satisfied.
3.When the native title right to maintain and protect places of importance and areas of significance (referred to in paragraph 9(h) of the determination) is intended to involve the erection of a structure to protect a place or area on a pastoral lease from physical harm, it may only be exercised if:
(a)the structure will not materially impact on activities permitted or required by the pastoral lease; and, for the avoidance of doubt,
(b)if paragraph 1(b) above has been satisfied.
4.In the event that a Lessee has not provided the Lessee’s Contact Details to the Birriah Contact Person, the native title holder or the Birriah Contact Person must provide at least seven (7) days’ prior written notice to the Lessee of an intention of a native title holder or holders to exercise native title rights and interests on the Lessee’s pastoral lease by:
(a)posting such a notice to the last known postal address of the Lessee as recorded by the Australian Electoral Commission; or
(b)delivering or causing to be delivered such a notice to a person otherwise responsible for the management of the pastoral lease, or a person permanently residing on the pastoral lease.
5.Provided that a native title holder has complied with or is prepared to comply with paragraphs 1 to 4 above, a Lessee shall not unreasonably withhold consent or refuse a request by that native title holder to exercise the native title rights and interests referred to in paragraph 9 of the determination.
6.The native title holders will not exercise the native title rights and interests referred to in paragraph 9 of the determination in respect of any land or waters on which permanent improvements consisting of:
(a)a homestead, house, shed or other building;
(b)an airstrip;
(c)a constructed dam or other constructed stock watering point, bore, turkey nest, squatters’ tank or other water storage facility; or
(d)stock yards and trap yards,
have, at the date of the determination, been constructed (including adjacent land or waters, the use of which is necessary for, or incidental to, the construction, establishment or use of the permanent improvements) in accordance with the rights of a Lessee under, and within the boundaries of a pastoral lease.
7.In this Schedule:
(a)“firearm” has the same meaning as in the Weapons Act 1990 (Qld); and
(b)“stock” has the same meaning as in the Stock Act 1915 (Qld).
Note:Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
LOGAN J:
1As I have previously observed, when having the privilege of constituting the Court for the making of earlier determinations, one of our National Parliament’s objectives in respect of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (the Act) is the resolution of claims for the recognition of native title by agreement. That objective is borne out in s 87 and s 87A of the Act, especially by amendments made by the Native Title Amendment Act 2009 (Cth).
2Today is another occasion when the Court gives practical voice to that objective by determining an application for part of an area by consent, save one lot within the claim area. That this objective is, in Queensland, now frequently achieved does not diminish the unique importance of a determination in favour of the Birriah Native Title claimants in respect of the land and waters within the area in north east Queensland identified in Schedule 1 of the Court’s orders.
3The Birriah claims have a long history in this Court. The first application for a determination of native title over the claim area was lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal on 3 April 1998 by the Central Queensland Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CQLCAC) and was lodged under the designation of “birria”.Following amendments to the Act in 1998, such applications became Federal Court proceedings. A notice of motion to amend the application was filed in the Federal Court on 6 October 1999 following a decision by the claimant group to change the name of the claim from “birriah” to birri”. The Court granted leave to amend on 18 October 1999. Afurther amended application was filed in the Court on 24 November 1999 and leave was granted to amend the application on 30 November 1999. This further amended application was accepted for registration by the Native Titles Registrar on 7 February 2000.
4Between August 2001 and January 2016, six (6) further amended applications were filed with the Court.
5On 28 September 2014, the Birriah People authorised amendments to their claim group description such that the Birriah people were described as comprising the descendants of Jinnie Tiers, Kuburu, the father of Billy Lightning Banbari, John Smallwood, Rosie Schilling, Peggy Barker, Sambo Callaghan, Tommy Morgan, the mother of Lizzie Limburner and Nellie Skeen or William (Billy) Skeen Snr.
6The most recent application to amend, filed by the applicantson behalf of the Birriah People, was filed on 8 October 2015. On 21 January 2016, leave to amend was consequentially granted, pursuant to s 66B of the Act. That latest amendment resulted in the inclusion of the descendants of another apical ancestor in the descendants of the Birriah People after additional research had been undertaken regarding the claim group. The descendants of the Biriah People now consist ofJinnie Tiers, Kuburu, the father of Billy Lightning Banbari, John Smallwood, Rosie Schilling, Peggy Barker, Sambo Callaghan, Tommy Morgan, the mother of Lizzie Limburner, Nellie Skeen or William (Billy) Skeen Snr, Caroline Roger, Maggie or her husband Harry Shepherd (Snr).
7This amended application was filed in Court on 22 January 2016.
8There are currently thirty-six respondent parties, including the State of Queensland, the Burdekin Shire, Charters Towers Regional, Isaac Regional, Mackay Regional and Whitsundays Regional Councils representing the local governments within the claim area as well as energy, mining and infrastructure companies and various pastoralists.
9Viewed against that history and like many such claims, it can be seen that this claim has been long in its gestation. In earlier judgements in cases like the present, for example in 2012 in Hoolihan on behalf of the Gugu Badhun People #2 v State of Queensland [2012] FCA 800; Archer on behalf of the Djungan People #1 v State of Queensland [2012] FCA 801 and Fisher on behalf of the Ewamian People #2 v State of Queensland [2013] FCA 1249, I observed that native title claims which linger unresolved on a court list are an affront to our system of justice. The statements which I then made are just as applicable to this case.
10That said, the consensual resolution of the current Determination Application in less than ten years is testament to much dedicated work by experienced legal advisers and some innovative negotiation techniques, the responsible actions of the parties guided by their advisers and case management by the Court’s registrars. The result is that as 87A determination for part of the claim area has been achieved in what is a relatively short time in this jurisdiction of the Court. I commend the parties and the legal practitioners involved.
11In Baker on behalf of the Muluridji People v State of Queensland [2011] FCA 1432 (Muluridji), and as I have in subsequent determinations, I adopted observations made in King v Northern Territory of Australia [2011] FCA 582 (King) by Mansfield J. His Honour made a number of observations about the preamble to the Act. I remain in complete agreement not only with the substance of his Honour’s observations in King but also with the manner in which he expressed them. They are also exactly apposite in the present proceedings. As I did in Muluridji and have done subsequently, I propose therefore to adopt them as my own in these reasons for judgment without further attribution.
12The preamble to the Act recognised, on behalf of all people of Australia, that the Aboriginal peoples of Australia inhabited this country for many years prior to European settlement, and that the Aboriginal peoples had been progressively dispossessed of their lands. It recorded that, by the overwhelming vote of the people of Australia, the Constitution was amended to enable laws such as the Act to be passed, to facilitate the recognition by our shared legal system of the native title rights and interests in their land. This is an occasion when the Court is to make orders declaring that the groups of Aboriginal persons in the current applications have always been the traditional owners of the land. By the Court’s orders, the Australian community collectively recognises that status. It is important to emphasise that the Court’s orders do not grant that status. The Court is declaring that it exists and has always existed at least since European settlement.
13The applicants rely on fourteen affidavits from members of the claim group that provide direct evidence of their ongoing connection to the land and waters in the claim area. The affidavits are from a broad cross section of the claim group and depose to the observance of traditional laws and customs and the exercise of the native title rights and interests that I am able to recognise today. The composition of the claim group is supported by an affidavit from anthropologist, Dr David Hugo which provides anthropological evidence of the Birriah People and of the apical ancestors for the Birriah Claim Group as well as genealogical charts and geographical maps of the claim area.
14The application also relies on supplementary reports by AverilGinn and Fiona Powell for the provision of a complete, consolidated list of apical ancestors for the Birriah Claim Group.
SECTION 87A OF THE ACT
15Section 87A of the Act provides that the Court may make a determination of native title by consent over part of an area covered by a native title application and without holding a hearing where:
(a)There is a proceeding in relation to an application for a determination of native title (s 87A(1)(a));
(b)the period specified in the notice given under s 66 of the Act has ended and agreement is reached on a proposed determination of native title in relation to an area included in the area covered by the application (s 87A(1)(b));
(c)the applicant, each registered native title claimant party to the proceeding, each person who holds an interest or claims to hold native title in relation to land or waters in any part of the determination land, the State Minister and any local government body who is party to the proceeding, are parties to the agreement (s 87A(1)(c)(i)-(ix)); and
(d)the terms of the proposed determination are in writing and are signed by or on behalf of the parties and filed with the Court (s 87A(1)(d) and (2));
(e)the Court is satisfied that an order in, or consistent with, those terms would be within its power (s 87A(4)(a)); and
(f)having satisfied the criteria relevantly detailed, the Court considers the making of orders would be appropriate to do so pursuant to s 87A(4) of the Act. The Court may make a determination in accordance with s 87A(4), as is relevant to these proceedings.
16The focus of the Court in considering whether the orders sought are appropriate under s 87A(1) and s 87A(4) is on the making of the agreement by the parties. In Muluridji I cited observations of North J in Lovett on behalf of theGunditjmara People v State of Victoria [2007] FCA 474. Such remarks are apt to be adopted in this case. His Honour stated:
[36]… The Act is designed to encourage parties to take responsibility for resolving proceeding without the need for litigation. Section 87 must be construed in this context. The power must be exercised flexibly and with regard to the purpose for which the section is designed.
[37]In this context, when the Court is examining the appropriateness of an agreement, it is not required to examine whether the agreement is grounded on a factual basis which would satisfy the Court at a hearing of the application. The primary consideration of the Court is to determine whether there is an agreement and whether it was freely entered into on an informed basis: Nangkiriny v State of Western Australia (2002) 117 FCR 6; [2002] FCA 660, Ward v State of Western Australia [2006] FCA 1848. Insofar as this latter consideration applies to a State party, it will require the Court to be satisfied that the State party has taken steps to satisfy itself that there is a credible basis for an application: Munn v Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109; [2001] FCA 1229.
17The Court is not required to make its own inquiry of the merits of the applicants’ claim so as to be satisfied that the orders sought are supportable and in accordance with the law: Cox on behalf of the Yungngora People v State of Western Australia [2007] FCA 588 at [3]. The Court may nonetheless consider such evidence to determine whether the State is acting in good faith and rationally: Munn (for and on behalf of the Gunggari People) v Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109 at [29]-[30].
18In Smith v State of Western Australia (2000) 104 FCR 494 at [38], Madgwick J stated:
[38] … State governments are necessarily obliged to subject claims for native title over lands and waters owned and occupied by the State and State agencies, to scrutiny just as careful as the community would expect in relation to claims by non-Aborigines to significant rights over such land.
SECTION 94A OF THE ACT
19Section 94A of the Act requires that a native title determination order must satisfy the requirements of s 225 of the Act. Section 225 provides:
A determination of native title is a determination whether or not native title exists in relation to a particular area (the determination area) of land or waters and, if it does exist, a determination of:
(a)who the persons, or each group of persons, holding the common or group rights comprising the native title are; and
(b)the nature and extent of the native title rights and interests in relation to the determination area; and
(c)the nature and extent of any other interests in relation to the determination area; and
(d)the relationship between the rights and interests in paragraphs (b) and (c) (taking into account the effect of this Act); and
(e)to the extent that the land or waters in the determination area are not covered by a non-exclusive agricultural lease or a non-exclusive pastoral lease -- whether the native title rights and interests confer possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of that land or waters on the native title holders to the exclusion of all others.
Note:The determination may deal with the matters in paragraphs (c) and (d) by referring to a particular kind or particular kinds of non-native title interests.
[emphasis in original]
20Section 223(1) of the Act defines ‘native title’ and ‘native title rights and interests’ as:
(1)… the communal, group or individual rights and interests of Aboriginal peoples or Torres Strait Islanders in relation to land or waters, where:
(a)the rights and interests are possessed under the traditional laws acknowledged, and the traditional customs observed, by Aboriginal peoples or Torres Strait Islanders; and
(b)the Aboriginal peoples or Torres Strait Islanders, by those laws and customs, have a connection with the land or waters; and
(c)the rights and interests are recognised by the common law of Australia.
21In Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v State of Victoria (2002) 214 CLR 422, Gleeson CJ, Gummow and Hayne JJ (with McHugh J agreeing) stated the relevant principles with respect to s 223 of the Act, at 444 - 447 and 454 - 455:
(a)A traditional law or custom which is the source of native title rights and interests is one which has been passed from generation to generation of a society, usually by word of mouth and common practice.
(b)The origins of the law or custom from which native title rights and interests stem must be found in the normative rules of the relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander society that existed before the assertion of sovereignty by the British Crown – it is only those rules that are “traditional” laws and customs.
(c)That normative system must have a continuous existence and vitality since sovereignty.
(d)If that society ceases to exist as a group which acknowledges and observes those pre-sovereignty laws and customs, those laws and customs cease to have continued existence and vitality.
(e)Only native title rights or interests that existed at the time of the change in sovereignty will be recognised. However, some change to, or adaptation of, traditional laws or customs or some interruption in the enjoyment or exercise of native title rights or interests in the period between the Crown asserting sovereignty and the present will not necessarily be fatal to a native title claim.
(f)In many cases, perhaps most, claimants will invite the Court to infer, from evidence led at trial, the content of traditional laws and customs at times earlier than those described in the evidence.
22Further, there is authority of this Court, exercising appellate jurisdiction, which lends itself to a determinative conclusion that physical presence is not a necessary requirement for continuing connection. See, for example, Moses v State of Western Australia [2007] FCAFC 78 at [306] per Moore, North and Mansfield JJ.
APPLICATION OF SECTION 223 AND SECTION 225 TO THE BIRRIAH PEOPLE
23The Birriah People base their identity on their cognatic descent from those ancestors identified in Schedule 3 of the orders. The apical ancestors are likely to have existed on the claim area at or about the time of first contact in 1844-45 during Ludwig Leichhardt’s expedition, which skirted the western and northern periphery of the region.Leichhardt observed that although the terrain and nature of the Burdekin River did little to attract hunting parties, “whenever we meet with scrub with a good supply of water, we were sure of finding numerous tracks of natives” (Leichhardt 1847 at 216).
24On a subsequent expedition led by Augustus Charley Gregory, in which Leichardt’s route was retraced (in reverse), Gregory noted, when traversing the Burkedin area and Sutton River, that, “on the bank of the creek we observed the marks of a recent camp group of a large party of blacks… which showed some dance ceremony had been performed by a large number of men” (Gregory, 24 October 1856). Considered in conjunction with the other evidence relied upon, I am able to draw an inference that the Birriah People occupied the area at the time of the assertion of British Sovereignty on 26 January 1788 (the date of legal Sovereignty).
25The claim area is situated in north eastern Queensland centred around the township of Collinsville. It takes in part of Lake Dalrymple on the south western boundary and parts of the catchments of the Broken River and Bowen River in the south east. It also incorporates Mount Weight in the north and Mount Black Jack in the south. It is covered almost entirely by pastoral leases.
26I have considered Dr Hugo’s Anthropological Report as well as the supplementary report of Ms Ginn which includes schematic genealogies of the Birriah families. Dr Hugo’s report refers to the work of the early ethnographers, Edward M Curr and Peter R Delamothe. These sources demonstrate that there are broad consistencies between what has been identified with the Birriah People in the earliest records and the current claim. The Curr material is based on his correspondence with government officials, police officers and pastoralists while researching vocabularies from different Aboriginal groups in the 1870s. J. Hall Scott and W.O Hodgkinson were contributors to Curr’s work who would refer to the tribes surrounding the Burkedin River using the suffix “bara”. Other informants of Curr’s material employed the suffix ‘bara’ to refer to sub-tribes of the larger Halifax Bay tribe. In the 1900s, Delamothe noted a series of other ‘bara’ groups in the Burkedin/Whitsundays area (Dr Hugo’s Report at 247).
27In his report, Dr Hugo refers to a statement by deceased applicant, Patrick Walsh, that ‘Birri’ meant “people of the rivers”, noting that the two biggest rivers in Queensland are found in the Fitzroy and the Burkedin Basin (Dr Hugo’s Report at 294).
28According to records held by the Queensland Rail Historical Centre, the area south of Townsville was called ‘Birigaba’, referring to “the name of the Aboriginal tribe which inhabited the locality”. This demonstrates recognition of a broad regional grouping. Dr Hugo further found that “claimants expressed a common identity and a mutual understanding by using the term ‘Birri Gubba’ to embrace a regional identity that is applied to land, language and particularly people” (Dr Hugo’s Report at 295).
29Anthropologist Caroline Kelly, in Dr Hugo’s Report, demonstrates that the Birriah People endured a period of forced removals and enforced confinement on reserves such as Cherbourg and that they consequently suffered from dislocation and an unfulfilled desire to return to country, especially at the time of death: see Dr Hugo’s Report at 352. Current claimant family members have been known to go to great lengths to rebury the remains of Birriah people on country. Claimant family members also acknowledge that the practice contributes to the spiritual renewal and connection to country of present generations (Dr Hugo’s Report at 354 – 356).Dr Hugo concludes that “the law and customs of the Birri people includes the inheritance of the right to possess the claim area” (at 394).
30Dr Hugo found that forced removal of people from their country lead to a shift in marriage protocol (at 328). While marriage customs among Birriahpeople are still recognised, Dr Hugo acknowledges that “some of the marriage customs observed and recorded… are no longer practiced” (at 329).
31Despite forced dislocation, frontier conflict, coercive labour practices and draconian state intervention into the Birriah’s people’s personal and social lives, the Birriah People Claim Group and their predecessors have continuously exercised their right of possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of their traditional country before and since the date of legal Sovereignty.
32Dr Hugo identifies the importance of employment in the pastoral industry which allowed the Birriah People to continue to observe “their essential laws and customs, including language, totems, bloodlines, elders and kinship” (Dr Hugo’s Report at 350).
33The Birriah People share unique linguistic features and ceremonial patterns, especially pertaining to burial practices to distinguish themselves from the wider Birra-Gubba grouping.
34The many affidavits filed in support of the application indicate through the members of the claim group that the transmission of cultural knowledge has continued to the present day to facilitate an ongoing cultural and spiritual connection to country. Although the place of birth for many of the claimant family members is not within the claim area, many nevertheless assert a connection to the claim area with the birthplace of a parent or grandparent.
35The Birriah People have maintained their identity and connections to their country through working on the pastoral properties within the claim area and identifying themselves as part of the ‘Birra Gubba people’ associated with the ‘Birra Gubba language’ (Dr Hugo’s Report at 429 – 430).
36The recollection of stories concerning traditional locations in the claim area continues to be transmitted across the generations. Birriah People place strong emphasis upon the narrator being properly authorised to “speak for country” because they believe that it adds legitimacy and authority to the stories themselves. While identification in terms of a wider regional societal entity is strong, a continuing sense of autonomy and primary ownership and the ability to exercise “core rights” remains central to the Birriah People in respect to the claim area (Dr Hugo’s Report at 371).
37In Ada Sampson’s interview on 2 February 2011, she recognises that the wider Birra Gubba society acknowledges the right of only Birri people to speak about Birri country.
38The material provides that the Birriah People have an identity and a connection to the land through the application of a shared body of traditional laws and customs that forms part of the greater jural public. Evidence exists of an essential system of law and custom in regard to kinship, bloodline, language and burial. These laws and customs are salient to the reproduction of the claimants’ society.
39Accordingly, it is appropriate to make the proposed orders which recognise:
(a)that the claim group comprises a society united in and by their acknowledgement and observance of a body of accepted traditional laws and customs;
(b)that the present day body of accepted laws and customs of the society in essence is the same body of laws and customs acknowledged and observed by the ancestors or members of the society adapted to modern circumstances;
(c)that the acknowledgement and observance of those laws and customs has continued substantially uninterrupted by each generation since sovereignty, and that the society has continued to exist throughout that period as a body united in and by its acknowledgement and observance of those laws and customs; and
(d)that the claim group still possesses rights and interests under the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by them, and that those laws and customs give them a connection to the land.
THE APPLICATION OF SECTION 87A TO THE BIRRIAH PEOPLE’S CLAIM
40The requirements of s 87A of the Act have been satisfied in the present case. In particular:
(a)There is a proceeding in relation to an application for a determination of native title (s 87A(1)(a));
(b)Agreement has been reached on a proposed determination of native title in relation to the area included in the area covered by the application (s 87A(1)(b));
(c)All relevant parties to the proceeding are parties to the agreement (s 87A(1)(c));
(d)An order in terms of or consistent with the agreement would be within the Court’s power and it would be appropriate to make the order (s 87A(4)) because:
(i)the application is valid and was made in accordance with s 61 of the Act; and
(ii)the application is for a determination of native title in relation to an area for which there is no approved determination of native title (s 13(1)(a)).
The agreement complies with s 94A and s 225 of the Act and
(e)It is appropriate that the Court make the orders sought because:
(i)all parties are legally represented;
(ii)it is consistent with objects in the Act that issues and disputes concerning native title are resolved by mediation;
(iii)the State of Queensland has taken a real interest in negotiating the consent determination. In participating in these negotiations, the State of Queensland, acting on behalf of the general community, having had regard to the Act’s requirements and having conducted a thorough assessment process, is satisfied that the determination is justified in all the circumstances;
(iv)the connection material filed by the applicants satisfies s 223 of the Act and supports the making of the proposed determinations;
(v)the requirements of ss 56, 94A and 225 of the Act are satisfied; and
(vi)the proposed determinations are unambiguous and certain as to the rights declared.
SATISFYING SECTION 57 OF THE ACT
41Under s 55 of the Act, the Court is required, either at the time of the Determination or as soon as practicable after it, to make such determinations as are required by s 56 and s 57 of the Act. They respectively relate to holding the native title on trust or otherwise and if not held on trust, the non-trust functions of the prescribed body corporate.
42As to the proposed determinations, Mr Michael Owens has informed the Court on 26 February 2016 that the native title is to be held on trust and the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 8261) is to be the prescribed body corporate under s 56 of the Act. The Birriah Aboriginal Corporation was registered on 30 July 2015 under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) Act 2006 (Cth). It will perform the functions mentioned in s 57(1) of the Act.
43The Court notes that on 26 February 2016, Michael Owens filed an affidavit that annexes a Notice of Nomination and Consent of Birriah Aboriginal Corporation as the Prescribed Body Corporate, which satisfies the requirements of s 57(1) of the Act.
44The Birriah Aboriginal Corporation satisfies the requirements of the Native Title (Prescribed Bodies Corporate) Regulations 1999 (Cth) because:
(a)it is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation: reg4(1);
(b)its purpose, as set out in its Rules of the Corporation, satisfy reg4(2)(b);
(c)the eligibility requirements of the Rules of the Corporation operate to ensure that all members of the corporation at the time of the determination are included or proposed to be included in the determinations as persons who have native title rights and interests in relation to the determination area: reg4(2)(b).
45Finally, and it warrants repetition, it needs to be understood that agreements of the kind that have brought about today’s hearing and determinations do not just happen. They involve co-operation by all of the parties in the administration of justice, careful attention by them and their advisers to the requirements of the Act in relation to the proof of native title, related effort in the gathering of relevant evidence and the ready making of concessions as to whether on the evidence native title can be proved. They also involve the regular review by the Court at directions hearings, some regional, others in Brisbane, and in the intervals in between by the Court’s registrars, to ensure that an application is both prosecuted with due diligence by an applicant and not unreasonably delayed by a respondent in its progress towards a hearing like today or, if needs be, a contested hearing. Ensuring that is important in any litigation but is especially so in a proceeding under the Act which serves a wider public interest recognised in the preamble and which, through the allocation of judicial and other court resources and via the provision of various forms of legal aid, including that so vitally provided by the Commonwealth to pastoralists, involves a considerable investment of public money.
46For the reasons given, the Determination is now made.
I certify that the preceding forty-six (46) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Logan.
Associate:
Dated:23 March 2016
SCHEDULE OF PARTIES
QUD 6244 of 1998
Applicants
Fourth Applicant:
GRACELYN SMALLWOOD
Fifth Applicant:
ALGON WALSH (JNR)
Respondents
Fourth Respondent:
ISAAC REGIONAL COUNCIL
Fifth Respondent:
MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Sixth Respondent:
WHITSUNDAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Seventh Respondent:
ERGON ENERGY CORPORATION LIMITED
Eighth Respondent:
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED (ACN 33 051 775 556)
Ninth Respondent:
GLENCORE COAL QUEENSLAND PTY LIMITED (FORMERLY XSTRATA COAL QUEENSLAND PTY LTD)
Tenth Respondent:
NEWLANDS COAL PTY LTD
Eleventh Respondent:
Q COAL PTY LTD
Twelfth to Thirty-Fourthvarious Pastoral Respondents:
HELEN FRANCES ALFORD, WILLIAM HENRY ALFORD (JNR), JUILEANN VERONICA ANGUS, RODNEY STEWART ANGUS, MARIAN JESSIE CERQUI, VINCE CERQUI, COLINTA HOLDINGS PTY LTD, DANIEL EDWARD COMERFORD, ERROL HENRY COMERFORD, NOEL JAMES GRIFFIN COMERFORD, PETER MICHAEL COSTELLO, YVONNE LAMONT COX, LENNETTE ANN DOBE, WILLIAM THOMAS GORDON DOBE, GRASS HUT PTY LTD, KELVA DYAN HUGHES, RICHARD BRIAN HUGHES, LESLIE JOHN PAYNE, ANDREW REA, DENISE ROSE SCHEIDER, ALEXANDER BARNARD TURNER AND NEIL JOHN WHITSON (AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF DINA VERA TURNER DECEASED0, DIANE ROSEMARY WATTS, CLIVE ERNEST WATTS
Thirty-Fifth Respondent:
AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA
Thirty-Sixth Respondent:
CASTLE HILL EXOTICS PTY LTD
Thirty-Seventh Respondent:
RAPISARDA INVESTMENTS PTY LTD
Thirty-Eighth Respondent:
BEVERLEY ANGUS SPURDLE, GLEN DAVID SPURDLE, GRAHAM ROBERT SPURDLE, GAVIN CRAIG SPURDLE AND JOHN HERBERT SPURDLE
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