Mandingalby Yidinji

On 24 April 2006 in Cairns the Federal Court of Australia made a consent determination recognising the Mandingalbay Yidinji People's native title rights and interests over 3,140 hectares approximately 23 km south-east of Cairns.

Native title was recognised over national park, reserve and forest areas near Cairns, clearing the way for the Mandingalbay Yidinji People to carry out their traditional activities and help manage and protect the land. The determination finalises a native title claim the group lodged with the court in 1999.

The determination recognises the Mandingalbay Yidinji People's non-exclusive native title rights in parts of Giangurra Reserve, part of the Malbon Thompson State Forest and part of Grey Peaks National Park.

Today's outcome follows negotiations between the Mandingalbay Yidinji People and other groups with interests including the Queensland Government, Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation and Wet Tropics Management Authority. The Mandingalbay Yidinji People also developed ILUAs with Telstra, Ergon Energy and Cairns City Council to allow these organisations to continue to access the area to maintain essential public services.

Under their non-exclusive rights the group can access parts of Giangurra Reserve, part of the Malbon Thompson State Forest and part of Grey Peaks National Park to camp, hunt, fish, gather, use the natural resources, protect significant places and perform ceremonial activities in accordance with their traditional rights and customs. The general public can still access these areas as before.

Under the group's exclusive native title rights in two areas on Trinity Inlet and one area on Red Bank Creek they can possess, occupy, use and enjoy these areas in accordance with their traditional laws and customs, except in relation to water.

Two Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) were registered in May 2006 between the Mandingalbay Yidinji people and Cairns City Coucil and Ergon Energy.

The Mandingabay Yidinji/State of Queensland ILUA and the Mandingalbay/Telstra ILUAs were registered in November and December 2006 respectively.

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

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

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.