Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

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Native title does not exist

Native title exists (exclusive)

Native title exists (non-exclusive)

Native title extinguished

ILUA registered

ILUA in notification

ILUA notification ended

ILUA subject to objection (not withdrawn) and/or adverse material

Future Act notices current

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The Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC administers land on behalf of the Gunditjmara people. The Gunditjmara’s ownership of the land was recognised in the Gunditjmara determination of March 2007.

This determination arose from two native title claims made in August 1996 and June 2006 respectively. These claims included Crown land and waters, including state forests, national parks, recreational reserves, river frontages and coastal foreshores.

From 2002-2005 the NNTT convened the negotiations between the claimants and the 170 different respondents. The Victorian Government and the Gunditjmara were unable to reach agreement about the necessary connection to the land. In July 2005, a conference of experts was held to prepare evidence to try this issue in the Federal Court. After their report was released in November, an in-principle resolution was acheived within three months, removing the need to go to trial.

By November 2006, all parties agreed to recognise Gunditjmara native title rights to:

  • visit and temporarily reside on the land and waters;

  • the use and enjoyment of the land and waters, as well as their resources, for domestic and ordinary use; and

  • protect places and areas of importance on the land and waters.

This agreement was affirmed and approved by the Federal Court in March 2007. In his decision, Justice North recognised that the Gunditjmara have 'won their battle to cement their place in this country and in history'.

In addition to this determination, the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC also administers an Indigenous Land Use Agreement made with the Victorian Government. This agreement outlines what future actions may take place upon the claim area and how the ecology will be managed.

Type of RNTBC
Trustee
Contact number
03 5527 1427
Postal address
PO Box 216, HEYWOOD VIC 3304
Office address
4/48 Edgar Street, HEYWOOD VIC 3304
Email
PBC size
Medium
Region
VIC
Date of incorporation
Date of registration
ICN (Indigenous Corporation Number)
4672
PBC activity feed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, today congratulated the Gunditjmara people of western Victoria for securing recognition of their native title rights and interests.

"It's important for people all over Australia and in particularly the southern states to show we still have our relationships to the land have survived the last 200 years and survived in such a unique cultural shape that you can't determine against it.

Lake Condah, in Victoria's south-west, will be officially handed back to an Aboriginal group on Sunday.

Determination outcomes

Name FC name Tribunal number Determined outcome Area