State recognises Native Title over Central Desert Land

The State Government has acknowledged the existance of native title over more than 29,000 sqkm of Central Desert land in Western Australia's 14th consent determination.

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Native title has been recognised over more than 29,000 square kilometres of Central Desert land in Western Australia's 14th consent determination.

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper today attended the Ngurrupa on-country native title determination, the fifth for the Central Desert region.

"The Ngurrupa agreement sets a benchmark for future native title determinations in WA," Mr Ripper said.

"The application was filed in the Federal Court less than a year ago and agreement was reached quickly, illustrating what can be achieved when claimants and Government work together."

The Deputy Premier acknowledged that the swift resolution of the claim was helped by the well-researched supporting evidence provided by the applicants.

"They provided evidence of a strong and vibrant system of law and custom that was present at sovereignty and is still evident today," he said.

Mr Ripper said today's determination recognised that the Ngurrupa people possessed exclusive native title rights and interests of more than 29,726 square kilometres of land in the Shires of East Pilbara and Halls Creek.

The determination area included two reserves for the use and benefit of Aboriginal inhabitants and the exploration interests of two resource companies.

Native title had now been determined for more than 38 per cent of Central Desert land, covering about 320,180 square kilometres.