A NATIVE Title claim from the Barkindji people in far western NSW, covering more than 128,000 square kilometres, is set to be approved by the Commonwealth today.
The claim extends from the Victorian border north to Wanaaring, near the Queensland border and east to Wilcannia, Menindee and Broken Hill.
ABC Rural reported the claim has now been resolved 18 years after it was first lodged since the outstanding respondent, Wentworth Shire Council, agreed to the claim.
Native title expert Greg McIntyre said a “mere listing doesn't actually change anything” for landholder or pastoral rights”.
“All of the western lands leases would be taken out of that claim area and all of the freehold titles of which there'd be quite a lot around the various town sites within that region."
Barwon MP Kevin Humphries said that the determination would not create significant changes for landholders, but would deliver recognition for “people that have been living in that part of the world for a long, long time”.
"It doesn't impinge on existing landholder rights or local government rights or any other party, but it does mean that the Barkindji people have a say.”
