Robert Brown (Robert Brown & Ors on behalf of the Larrakia, Wulna, Kungarakan & Warai Peoples) (DC01/27)/Northern Territory/Savanna Mineral Resources Pty Ltd

[2001] NNTTA 114

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Robert Brown (Robert Brown & Ors on behalf of the Larrakia, Wulna, Kungarakan  & Warai Peoples) (DC01/27)/Northern Territory/Savanna Mineral Resources Pty Ltd, [2001] NNTTA 114 (22 October 2001)

Application Nos:      DO01/37, DO01/38

IN THE MATTER of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)

- and -

IN THE MATTER of an inquiry into the expedited procedure objection applications

Robert Brown (Robert Brown & Ors on behalf of the Larrakia, Wulna, Kungarakan  & Warai Peoples) (DC01/27) (native title party)

- and -

The Northern Territory of Australia (Government party)

- and -

Savanna Mineral Resources Pty Ltd (grantee party)

DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

Tribunal:       Hon C J Sumner
Place:             Darwin
Date:              22 October 2001

Catchwords:  Native Title – future act – proposed grant of exploration licences – expedited procedure objection application – application for exploration licences withdrawn – objection application dismissed.

Legislation:Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 148(a)

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

1. On 24 January 2001, the Government party gave notice under s 29 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) of its intention to grant exploration licences EL/10145 and EL/10146 to Savanna Mineral Resources Pty Ltd (‘the grantee party’) and included in the notice a statement that it considered that the grants attracted the expedited procedure.

1. On 24 May 2001, Robert Brown (Robert Brown & Ors on behalf of the Larrakia, Wulna, Kungarakan  & Warai Peoples) (‘the native title party’) made expedited procedure objection applications to the Tribunal.

1. The Department of Mines and Energy on behalf of the Government party has advised the Tribunal that on 16 October 2001, the exploration licence applications made by Savanna Mineral Resources Pty Ltd were discontinued.

Decision

1. There is no longer any proposal from the Government party to do the future acts and accordingly the objection applications are dismissed pursuant to s 148(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Hon C J Sumner
Deputy President
22 October 2001