Historic native title settlement in East Kimberley

9/12/03
Western Australia's longest-running native title claim has been settled with an agreement reached today that paves the way for social and economic development in Kununurra.
Deputy Premier Eric Ripper, who is responsible for native title, said the resolution of the Miriuwung Gajerrong and Balangarra people's application for recognition of their traditional rights was a milestone for the Kimberley region.
The agreement was ratified at a Federal Court sitting in Kununurra today.
Mr Ripper said the Gallop Government was working to create a stronger economy with more jobs and opportunities, and the East Kimberley was important to those plans.
He said the Government wanted young people, indigenous and non-indigenous, to have a future in the East Kimberley and that meant development of the economic and social infrastructure.
"The native title agreement clears the way for development in Kununurra and the Government will now be able to move ahead to ease the chronic shortage of land for residential and agricultural purposes," Mr Ripper said.
"The Government will be proceeding with the Lakeside land developments early in 2004 that will see the Miriuwung Gajerrong claimants realise five per cent of proceeds from the sale of the residential land."
The claimants would also receive the net proceeds of land sold to Riverfarm Road and Packsaddle farmers.
Mr Ripper said the agreement meant the Government could now step up negotiations on Ord Stage 2 which promised significant economic developments for the East Kimberley.
He said the Miriuwung Gajerrong #1 claim was the Government's fifth mediated determination since coming to office and settled a claim that first went to trial in 1996.
"We have been in productive negotiations for several months with the Kimberley Land Council, which represents the claimants, and we have agreed to the existence of native title in the determination area," Mr Ripper said.
Claimants' exclusive rights were recognised over:

• Lacrosse Island (shared exclusive possession between the Gajerrong, Doolboong, Wardenybeng and Balangarra);

• Kanggurru Island;

• Aboriginal reserves within the Kununurra townsite;

• a women's site within the township;

• Glen Hill pastoral lease; and

• Hagan Island in Lake Argyle (Mt Misery on the island is a significant site for Traditional Owners).

Non-exclusive rights were recognised over a number of areas, including islands in Lake Argyle (apart from Hagan Island).

Settlement of the claim involved pastoralists, miners including Argyle Diamonds, farmers, local and Commonwealth Government.

Mr Ripper said the Government would negotiate with the Miriuwung-Gajerrong people and their representatives on the wider development of Ord Stage 2.

"As a first step, we have already confirmed our intention to transfer the 50,000 hectare Yardungarll block to traditional owners, to be held in perpetuity for future generations," he said.

"And we are now putting together a package with the aim of resolving the balance of issues concerning the Miriuwung and Gajerrong people."

A map of the claim area is below:

Deputy Premier's Office - 9222 8788