PROPOSED NEW CLAIM NATIVE TITLE CLAIM

KAURAREG PEOPLE – PROPOSED NEW NATIVE TITLE CLAIM

MURALAG AND NGURUPAI PARCELS

NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION MEETING

When: Saturday 21 June 2025 10am - 3pm (open for registration from 9am)

Where: Horn Island Sports Complex, Multipurpose Stadium, Nawie Street, Horn Island

This notice is about a proposal to make a new native title claim under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

THE KAURAREG PEOPLE

The members of the Kaurareg People are invited to attend the Authorisation Meeting.

There are currently 3 Kaurareg native title claims before the Federal Court (QUD10/2019, QUD24/2019 and QUD26/2019). The native title claim group for each of the Kaurareg native title claims is made up of the descendants of the following ancestors:

Makaku & Buiya, Gaugabiri (sometimes spelled Kaugapiri), Zagra Snr/Jack Prince of Wales & Kamur, Kaitap & Serei, Urui, Daiam & Duni, Baetie, Bagie, Rattler Tom, Papoose & Pau Pai Kai, Kanamuri & Neru Pearson and Panipan.

There are several native title determinations in favour of the Kaurareg People in areas adjacent to the proposed new claim (made in 2001 over areas above the high-water mark, and 2022 over areas below the high-water mark and the seas). The Kaurareg common law holders are described in the native title determinations as:

…the Kaurareg People who are the descendants of the Kaurareg People who were the traditional owners of the Determination Area prior to the assertion of British sovereignty…

BACKGROUND TO AUTHORISATION MEETING

In late 2024, the Applicant in the current Kaurareg native title claims and Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC requested the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) to search for and identify any areas of Crown land nearby to the 2001 and 2022 determination areas which were not part of any previous native title determination and which were not covered by any current native title claim.

The NNTT search identified 51 parcels of Crown land.

The 51 parcels are located on Muralag (Prince of Wales Island), Ngurupai (Horn Island) and North West Islet. A significant number of the parcels were identified in the NNTT search as unallocated State land. Other parcels were identified as subject to reserves or other kinds of tenure.

Details of the parcels, maps and the NNTT search results for each of them will be provided at the Authorisation Meeting, and in the information package and at the information sessions (see details at the end of this notice).

PROPOSED AGENDA FOR AUTHORISATION MEETING

The proposed agenda is

1. Confirm the decision-making process to be used at the authorisation meeting.
2. Review the parcels proposed for inclusion in the new native title claim (including maps, current status of each parcel, and relevant aspects of the 2022 determination, 2001 determinations and other native title agreements from that time).
3. Using the decision-making process, to consider and if appropriate make decisions to:
   1. authorise the making of the proposed new native title claim, and if so its terms.
   2. authorise a member, or members jointly, of the Kaurareg People to be the Applicant to make the proposed new native title claim and deal with matters arising in relation to it.
   3. impose conditions on the authority of the Applicant to deal with the proposed new native title claim, in accordance with section 251BA of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND THE AUTHORISATION MEETING

There is limited funding available through Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK) for travel and accommodation assistance for members of the Kaurareg People.

Decisions about assistance will be made in accordance with GBK’s policies. Elders and senior family members who apply for assistance will be prioritised.

To apply to be considered for travel and accommodation assistance, please contact James Walkley at Chalk & Behrendt Lawyers and Consultants in the first instance on (02) 9231-4544 or by email at info@chalkbehrendt.com.au .

Kaurareg persons seeking travel and accommodation assistance to attend the authorisation meeting should contact James using the details above by no later than 12 June 2025.

INFORMATION PACKAGE AND INFORMATION SESSIONS

An information package has been prepared for the meeting. It can be emailed or posted to members of the Kaurareg People. Please contact James Walkley ( info@chalkbehrendt.com.au or (02) 9231-4544) if you would like a copy of the information package to be sent to you.

The information package will also be distributed and discussed at the information sessions listed below:

Information session 1 10am-1pm on 29 May 2025 in Cairns (Upolo Room, The Benson Hotel, 50 Grafton Street)

Information session 2 10am-1pm on 31 May 2025 on Horn Island (Horn Island Sports Complex, Nawie Street)

Information session 3 10am-1pm on 10 June 2025 in Townsville (Mercure Inn, 166 Woolcock Street, Currajong)