Combined Dulabed Malanbarra Yidinji

On 17 December 2009, the Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji peoples became recognised native title holders today over 16,460 ha of land and waters. The Federal Court of Australia made a consent determination recognising their exclusive native title rights over 6,540 ha of unallocated state land. This means they have the right to possess, use and occupy this area exclusively and will not be required to share the land with others. The Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji people’s non-exclusive native title rights have been recognised over 9,920 ha of reserves and national parks. This means the groups will exercise their native title rights in this area alongside the rights of others.

The determination follows the negotiation of four indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs) between the native title applicants, Queensland Government, Cairns City Council, Tablelands Council and Ergon Energy, with the National Native Title Tribunal’s mediation assistance.

The Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji Peoples’, represented by the North Queensland Land Council, lodged two native title claims in 1995. These claims were combined in the Federal Court in 2001.

You can read more in the National Native Title Tribunal backgrounder.

You can see the area covered by the agreement in the location map.

Thanks to the National Native Title Tribunal for some of this information. For comprehensive information about Native Title and Indigenous Land Use Ageements, visit the National Native Title Tribunal website.