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Riley on behalf of the Burdal Riley, Murrungun Wunubari and Mambali Walangara Estate Groups v Northern Territory of Australia [2021] FCA 716

Year
2021
Jurisdiction
Northern Territory
Forum
Federal Court
Legislation considered
s 87 Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)
Summary

White J

This case concerned a consent determination of native title over land within the Lorella Pastoral Lease in the Northern Territory. The lease covers an area of 3, 840km2. The parties were the representatives of the Burdal, Murrungun Wunubari and Mambali Walangara estate groups and the Northern Territory.

Rights and Interests

The native title rights and interests recognised included the right to travel over and access areas, hunt and fish, gather and use natural resources, take and use natural water, live, camp and erect shelters, light fires, conduct cultural activities, ceremonies and meetings and maintain and protect sites. The rights and interests of several third parties were also recognised, and were held to prevail over, but not extinguish, the native title rights of the claimants.

Prescribed Body Corporate

The Top End Aboriginal Corporation was appointed as the Prescribed Body Corporate. White J was satisfied that it was appropriate to make the agreed determination under s 87 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) having regard to the fact that the parties were legally represented and there were no other proceedings before the Court relating to native title determination applications over the area.