Ngadjon-Jii native title determination

On 12 December 2007 the Federal Court determination in Malanda gave the Ngadjon-Jii people native title rights over 13,287 hectares of their traditional lands. This includes recognition of the Ngadjon-Jii's non-exclusive rights to 13,287ha of land and waters in parts of Wooroonooran National Park, Topaz Road National Park, Malanda Falls Conservation Park and two quarry reserves.

The Ngadjon-Jii People lodged their native title claim in 1999 and negotiated the agreement with the State Government, Cairns City Council, Eacham Shire Council and Ergon Energy who have interests in the claimed area. During negotiations the Ngadjon-Jii People and the State Government reached an indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) that establishes how the native title rights and interests will be carried out on the ground.

As native title holders the Ngadjon-Jii People have the right to exclusively possess, occupy and use a 2.34ha island in the middle of the Russell River. Their non-exclusive rights over the rest of the land include the right to make decisions about the use of the area and to protect and maintain it. They will be able to access the area to camp, hunt, gather natural resources for personal needs and conduct ceremonies.

The broader community will also benefit as the Ngadjon-Jii People have much traditional knowledge of these national parks, which they will draw upon as they work with the governments to manage and protect the natural environment.

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.