Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation/Queensland/Cape Alumina Ltd, Sigma Kaolin Ltd

[2009] NNTTA 112

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation/Queensland/Cape Alumina Ltd, Sigma Kaolin Ltd, [2009] NNTTA 112 (24 September 2009)

Applications No:        QO09/97 & QO09/98

IN THE MATTER of the Native Title Act1993 (Cth)

- and -

IN THE MATTER of an inquiry into expedited procedure objection applications

Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation, Registered Native Title Body Corporate        (native title party)

- and -

The State of Queensland   (government party)

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Cape Alumina Ltd  (grantee party)

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Sigma Kaolin Ltd  (grantee party)

DECISION TO DISMISS EXPEDITED PROCEDURE OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

Tribunal:                   John Sosso
Place:                         Brisbane
Date:  24 September 2009

Catchwords:             Native title – future act – proposed grant of exploration permit - expedited procedure objection application – tenement abandoned – no jurisdiction to proceed – expedited procedure objection application dismissed.

Legislation:Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss. 29, 32, 148(a).

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS EXPEDITED PROCEDURE OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

[1] On 21 December 2008, the State of Queensland (“government party”) gave notice under section 29 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (“the Act”) of its intention to grant Exploration Permits for Mineral to Cape Alumina Ltd and Sigma Kaolin Ltd (“the grantee parties”), and specified 4 February 2009 as the notification day for the purpose of s 29(4)(a). The notice also included a statement that it was considered that the grants attracted the expedited procedure.

[2] On the dates specified in the Schedule, the Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation, a Registered Native Title Body Corporate, (“the native title party”) lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal (“the Tribunal”), expedited procedure objection applications pursuant to s. 32(3).

[3]        On the dates specified in the Schedule, Deputy President Sumner, as delegate of the President, appointed me as the Member to constitute the Tribunal for the purpose of the expedited procedure objection inquiries.

[4]        By letter dated 21 September 2009, the State of Queensland advised that the respective tenements as detailed in the Schedule had been abandoned by the grantee parties. Accordingly the Tribunal no longer has jurisdiction to proceed.

Decision

[5] The expedited procedure objection applications specified in the attached Schedule are dismissed pursuant to section 148(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

John Sosso
Deputy President

SCHEDULE  –  DETERMINATION [2009] NNTTA 112  (24 September 2009)

Tenement	Government Party Notification	Notification Day s 29(4)(a)	Objection Application Lodged	Objection Application No.	Member Appointed	Grantee Party	Native Title Party & Application No.	Date of dismissal
EPM 15019	21/12/08	4/02/09	4/06/09	QO09/97	17/06/09	Cape Alumina Ltd	Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation, Registered Native Title Body Corporate	24/09/09
EPM 17338	21/12/08	4/02/09	4/06/09	QO09/98	17/06/09	Sigma Kaolin Ltd	Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation, Registered Native Title Body Corporate	24/09/09