Jones on behalf of the Yinhawangka People v State of Western Australia

Jones on behalf of the Yinhawangka People v State of Western Australia - [2017] FCA 801 - FCA 2017 case summary — Zoe

[17]

A. The Applicant in proceedings WAD216 of 2010 and WAD340 of 2010 (collectively, "Yinhawangka Applications") has made native title determination applications that relate to the area of land and waters the subject of the attached Consent Determination of Native Title ("Determination"). B. The Applicant in the Yinhawangka Applications, the State of Western Australia and the other Respondents to the proceedings ("the parties") have reached an agreement as to the terms of the Determination which is to be made in relation to the land and waters covered by the Yinhawangka Applications ("Determination Area"). The external boundaries of the Determination Area are described in Schedule One to the Determination. C. Each of: (a) Cheela Plains Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (ACN 096 951 094) of Cheela Plains Station; (b) Barkley Marshall Day, Zane Bradley Day, Joan Elizabeth Day and Richard Ernest Day of Mt Vernon Station; (c) Wendy Ruth Harvey of Mininer Station; (d) Bruce Michael Maguire and Turee Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (ACN 008 691 718) of Turee Creek Station; and (e) Andrew Nicholas Glenn of Ashburton Downs Station, has agreed to the terms of the Determination on the basis of having reached agreement with the Applicant in relation to those portions of their respective pastoral leases that are situated within the Determination Area. Following the making of the Determination, those agreements will be executed and an application will be made for the agreements to be registered as Indigenous Land Use Agreements on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements as body corporate agreements pursuant to s 24BG of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). D. Pursuant to s 87(1) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) the parties have filed with this Court an agreement in writing setting out the terms of the agreement reached by the parties in relation to the Yinhawangka Applications. E. The terms of the agreement involve the making of consent orders for a determination pursuant to ss 87 and 94A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) that native title exists in relation to the land and waters of the Determination Area. F. The parties acknowledge that the effect of the making of the Determination is that the members of the native title claim group, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by them, should be recognised as the native title holders for the Determination Area as set out in the Determination. G. Pursuant to s 87(2) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), the parties have requested that the Court determine the Yinhawangka Applications together without holding a hearing. H. The Applicant in the Yinhawangka Applications has nominated the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 7837) pursuant to s 56(2)(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to hold the determined native title in trust for the native title holders. BEING SATISFIED that a determination in the terms set out at Attachment A would be within the power of the Court, and it appearing to the Court appropriate to do so, pursuant to ss 87 and 94A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and by the consent of the parties:

[19]

THE COURT ORDERS, DECLARES AND DETERMINES THAT: Existence of native title (s 225 Native Title Act)

Subject to paragraph 2, native title exists in the Determination Area in the manner set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Determination.
Native title does not exist in those parts of the Determination Area the subject of the interests identified in Schedule Four which are shown as generally shaded pink on the maps at Schedule Two. Native title holders (s 225(a) Native Title Act)
The native title in the Determination Area is held by the Yinhawangka People. The Yinhawangka People are the people referred to in Schedule Seven. The nature and extent of native title rights and interests and exclusiveness of native title (ss 225(b) and 225(e) Native Title Act) Exclusive rights and interests
Subject to paragraphs 6, 7, 8 and 11, the nature and extent of the native title rights and interests in relation to the Exclusive Area is: (a) except in relation to flowing and underground waters, the right to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment to the exclusion of all others; and (b) in relation to flowing and underground waters, the right to use and enjoy the flowing and underground waters, including: (i) the right to hunt on, fish from, take and use the traditional resources of the flowing and underground waters; and (ii) the right to take and use the flowing and underground waters. Non-exclusive rights and interests
Subject to paragraphs 6, 7, 8 and 11, the nature and extent of the native title rights and interests in relation to the Non-Exclusive Area is that they confer the following non-exclusive rights on the Yinhawangka People, including the right to conduct activities necessary to give effect to them: (a) the right to live, being to enter and remain on the land, to camp and erect shelters and other structures for that purpose, and travel over and visit any part of the land and waters of the Non-Exclusive Area; (b) the right to hunt, fish, gather, take and use the traditional resources of the Non-Exclusive Area; (c) the right to take and use water; (d) the right to engage in cultural activities and the transmission of cultural knowledge on the Non-Exclusive Area, including: (i) visiting places of cultural or spiritual importance and maintaining, caring for, and protecting those places by carrying out activities to preserve their physical or spiritual integrity; and (ii) conducting ceremony and ritual, including burial and burial rites; and (e) the right to be accompanied on to the Non-Exclusive Area by those people who, though not native title holders and who (for the avoidance of doubt) cannot themselves exercise any native title right in the Determination Area, are: (i) spouses, parents or children of the native title holders; or (ii) people required by or entering in connection with traditional law and custom for the performance of ceremonies or cultural activities on the Non-Exclusive Area. Qualifications on the native title rights and interests
The native title rights and interests are subject to and exercisable in accordance with: (a) the laws of the State and the Commonwealth, including the common law; and (b) the traditional laws and customs of the Yinhawangka People for personal, domestic and communal purposes (including social, cultural, religious, spiritual and ceremonial purposes).
Notwithstanding anything in this Determination, there are no native title rights and interests in the Determination Area in relation to: (a) minerals as defined in the Mining Act 1904 (WA) (repealed) and in the Mining Act 1978 (WA), except to the extent that ochre is not a mineral pursuant to the Mining Act 1904 (WA); or (b) petroleum as defined in the Petroleum Act 1936 (WA) (repealed) and in the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA); (c) geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy as defined in the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA); or (d) water captured by the holders of the Other Interests pursuant to those Other Interests.
The native title rights and interests set out in paragraphs 4(b) and 5 do not confer: (a) possession, occupation, use and enjoyment on the Yinhawangka People to the exclusion of all others; or (b) a right to control the access to, or use of, the land and waters of the Determination Area or its resources. Areas to which ss 47, 47A or 47B of the Native Title Act apply
Sections 47A and 47B of the Native Title Act apply to disregard any prior extinguishment in relation to the areas described in Schedule Five. The nature and extent of any other interests (s 225(c) Native Title Act)
The nature and extent of the Other Interests are described in Schedule Six. Relationship between native title rights and other interests (s 225(d) Native Title Act)
Except as otherwise provided for by law, the relationship between the native title rights and interests described in paragraphs 4 and 5 and the Other Interests is that: (a) to the extent that any of the Other Interests are inconsistent with the continued existence, enjoyment or exercise of the native title rights and interests, the native title rights and interests continue to exist in their entirety, but the native title rights and interests have no effect in relation to the Other Interests to the extent of the inconsistency during the currency of the Other Interests; and otherwise, (b) the existence and exercise of the native title rights and interests do not prevent the doing of any activity required or permitted to be done by or under the Other Interests, and the Other Interests, and the doing of any activity required or permitted to be done by or under the Other Interests, prevail over the native title rights and interests and any exercise of the native title rights and interests but do not extinguish them. Liberty to Apply
The parties have liberty to apply to establish the precise location and boundaries of the public works and adjacent land and waters identified in relation to any part or parts of the Determination Area referred to in clause 5 of Schedule Four of this Determination. Definitions and interpretation
In this Determination, unless the contrary intention appears: "Determination Area" means the land and waters described in Schedule One and depicted on the maps at Schedule Two; "Exclusive Area" means those lands and waters of the Determination Area described in Schedule Three (which areas are generally shown as shaded green on the maps at Schedule Two); "flowing water" means the following water within the Determination Area: (a) water which flows, whether permanently, intermittently or occasionally, within any river, creek, stream or brook; and (b) any natural collection of water into, through, or out of which a river, creek, stream or brook flows; "land" has the same meaning as in the Native Title Act and, for the avoidance of doubt, includes any natural collection of water found on the land which does not fall within the definition of "waters"; "Native Title Act" means the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth); "native title holders" means the Yinhawangka People as described in Schedule Seven and referred to in paragraph 3; "Non-Exclusive Area" means those lands and waters of the Determination Area which are not Exclusive Areas or described in paragraph 2 as an area where native title does not exist (which areas are generally shaded as yellow on the maps at Schedule Two); "Other Interests" means the legal or equitable estates or interests and other rights in relation to the Determination Area described in Schedule Six and referred to in paragraph 10; "resources" means flora, fauna, and other natural resources such as charcoal, stone, soil, wood, resin, and ochre (except, for the avoidance of doubt, ochres for use in the manufacture of porcelain, fine pottery or pigments which are minerals pursuant to the Mining Act 1904 (WA) (repealed)); "use" includes by way of share and exchange; "underground water" means water from and including an underground water source, including water that percolates from the ground; and "waters" has the same meaning as in the Native Title Act and includes flowing and underground water.
In the event of any inconsistency between the written description of an area in Schedule One, Three, Four, Five or Six and the area as depicted on the maps at Schedule Two the written description prevails.

[20]

SCHEDULE ONE DETERMINATION AREA The Determination Area, generally shown as bordered in blue on the maps at Schedule Two, comprises all land and waters bounded by the following descriptions: WAD340/2010 Yinhawangka Part A Area 1 All those lands and waters commencing at Latitude 22.705647 South, Longitude 117.334829 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Determination WAD6208/1998 Eastern Guruma (WCD2007/001); Then generally northeasterly and generally southeasterly along the boundaries of that native title determination to the intersection with a western boundary of Reserve 30082 (Karijini National Park) at Latitude 22.874031 South; Then generally southerly and generally easterly along the boundaries of that reserve to Longitude 118.504822 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Application WAD216/2010 Yinhawangka Part B (WC2010/011); Then generally southwesterly and generally northwesterly along the boundaries of that native title application through the following coordinate positions: LATITUDE (SOUTH) LONGITUDE (EAST) 23.178931 118.503365 23.181459 118.501568 23.184576 118.499749 23.184886 118.498601 23.186338 118.496464 23.189640 118.490281 23.191755 118.483952 23.193451 118.478964 23.194873 118.473039 23.196443 118.464835 23.198036 118.457199 23.199702 118.448423 23.200785 118.442889 23.201818 118.436032 23.203079 118.428976 23.204450 118.421728 23.206890 118.411598 23.208630 118.404715 23.209021 118.399586 23.210193 118.396323 23.211616 118.390398 23.212899 118.383909 23.214646 118.377214 23.216054 118.370911 23.217344 118.364611 23.219593 118.355624 23.220993 118.349131 23.222062 118.343219 23.223131 118.337307 23.225557 118.326799 23.228144 118.317421 23.230702 118.310319 23.232744 118.305129 23.236931 118.294367 23.238965 118.288989 23.239113 118.286710 23.240049 118.283455 23.240823 118.279069 23.241200 118.273562 23.241731 118.268996 23.241709 118.262366 23.241864 118.257245 23.242358 118.251733 23.242603 118.242820 23.243274 118.235786 23.244041 118.228180 23.244418 118.222672 23.244713 118.215083 23.244722 118.206178 23.245445 118.200469 23.245954 118.195335 23.245711 118.189092 23.245483 118.183228 23.245071 118.172634 23.244858 118.167147 23.244534 118.158824 23.243967 118.153350 23.243739 118.147486 23.243474 118.140675 23.243651 118.136122 23.244042 118.130993 23.245067 118.123946 23.245922 118.121641 23.247684 118.115325 23.248244 118.114546 23.248561 118.113588 23.249777 118.111459 23.253123 118.106412 23.254708 118.104649 23.257022 118.100396 23.262844 118.092228 23.267244 118.086952 23.270841 118.082274 23.271497 118.080924 23.273973 118.077803 23.278845 118.072510 23.279169 118.071740 23.281984 118.068227 23.283488 118.067415 23.285073 118.065652 23.291595 118.060298 23.296268 118.055960 23.296946 118.055177 23.300926 118.051243 23.303071 118.048702 23.305039 118.047683 23.307707 118.043417 23.310058 118.037080 23.313714 118.030884 23.317046 118.025458 23.320724 118.019829 23.323141 118.015194 23.326112 118.009592 23.329399 118.003031 23.332665 117.995902 23.335076 117.991078 23.338673 117.983369 23.342167 117.976043 23.343081 117.975252 23.344032 117.972375 23.345418 117.968536 23.347260 117.964301 23.347430 117.962589 23.347806 117.954051 23.347947 117.948551 23.348987 117.941883 23.349119 117.939226 23.350144 117.932179 23.350573 117.924964 23.351324 117.920011 23.352659 117.911816 23.352991 117.905173 23.352726 117.898363 23.352484 117.892120 23.352109 117.882472 23.351829 117.875283 23.351601 117.869418 23.351373 117.863553 23.351130 117.857310 23.350851 117.850121 23.349613 117.842589 23.347543 117.831866 23.344331 117.822132 23.342017 117.814259 23.339888 117.808085 23.338024 117.802659 23.336196 117.798179 23.333168 117.793175 23.330729 117.788149 23.327892 117.782000 23.323721 117.774954 23.322026 117.770848 23.317826 117.763044 23.315041 117.758220 23.312970 117.753559 23.310435 117.749105 23.306353 117.741298 23.302521 117.733860 23.294732 117.724861 23.291283 117.721198 23.286538 117.714551 23.283752 117.709727 23.281107 117.705466 23.278520 117.699688 23.275838 117.694481 23.275042 117.692237 23.271926 117.684962 23.268684 117.677503 23.265729 117.668328 23.263194 117.660842 23.261751 117.657106 23.259326 117.652458 23.255900 117.646332 23.253513 117.642630 23.248959 117.634839 23.246881 117.629989 23.245835 117.627375 23.245061 117.625698 23.243263 117.621975 23.240515 117.615065 23.237797 117.605882 23.236390 117.600060 23.234157 117.594269 23.231652 117.587540 23.228763 117.580067 23.227629 117.575183 23.225764 117.569757 23.223635 117.563583 23.221800 117.558914 23.220024 117.552727 23.218042 117.544274 23.216583 117.540159 23.216149 117.538091 23.214004 117.531538 23.211904 117.526121 23.210408 117.521060 23.207948 117.509404 23.205737 117.501149 23.201722 117.488981 23.198848 117.481887 23.196734 117.476091 23.194508 117.470488 23.193381 117.465793 23.192623 117.455400 23.189830 117.450387 23.186735 117.443679 23.184503 117.437888 23.179617 117.427646 23.177149 117.421863 23.173634 117.413465 23.170731 117.405614 23.167828 117.397763 23.163532 117.387499 23.160393 117.379657 23.158529 117.374231 23.156429 117.368813 23.153165 117.360786 23.151426 117.355544 23.148199 117.348463 23.144013 117.341038 23.141095 117.332809 23.137956 117.324966 23.134648 117.315804 23.131738 117.307764 23.130013 117.302901 23.127862 117.299191 23.127176 117.296753 23.125393 117.293408 23.121864 117.284633 23.118555 117.275471 23.115372 117.266493 23.113184 117.261837 23.111459 117.256974 23.109949 117.251535 23.108114 117.246866 23.105145 117.237312

[22]

Then continuing northwesterly along the boundary of that native title application to Latitude 23.067401 South, Longitude 117.161884 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Determination WAD126/2005 Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura #2 (WCD2015/003); Then generally northwesterly, generally northerly, generally easterly, again generally northwesterly and generally northeasterly along the boundaries of that native title determination back to the commencement point. Area 2 All those lands and waters commencing at the intersection of an eastern boundary of Reserve 30082 (Karijini National Park) with Latitude 23.129889 South being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Application WAD216/2010 Yinhawangka Part B (WC2010/011); Then generally easterly and generally northeasterly along the boundaries of that native title application through the following coordinate positions: LATITUDE (SOUTH) LONGITUDE (EAST) 23.129923 118.579226 23.129798 118.585104 23.130026 118.590968 23.130136 118.593806 23.129664 118.596854 23.129383 118.604821 23.128521 118.609967 23.128203 118.616989 23.128468 118.623799 23.128371 118.630433 23.128695 118.638757 23.128583 118.651076 23.128074 118.656209 23.127993 118.663221 23.127292 118.669499 23.126968 118.676331 23.126525 118.683167 23.126598 118.691121 23.126199 118.699093 23.126523 118.707417 23.126736 118.712903 23.126617 118.725032 23.126491 118.730909 23.126005 118.733579 23.124214 118.739139 23.122813 118.742600 23.121722 118.747944 23.119341 118.753525 23.118494 118.756019 23.115155 118.761256 23.112037 118.766106 23.111713 118.766875 23.108388 118.772491 23.106951 118.775006 23.104217 118.780599 23.101209 118.785256 23.097517 118.790506 23.094178 118.795742 23.090515 118.801749 23.086291 118.808534 23.081751 118.816277 23.079694 118.821088 23.077712 118.827791 23.075714 118.834116 23.074262 118.839284 23.073480 118.843481 23.070620 118.851921 23.068261 118.858069 23.065608 118.865744 23.062409 118.874575

[24]

Then continuing northeasterly along the boundary of that native title application to Latitude 23.035240 South, Longitude 118.926692 East being a point on the present boundary Native Title Determination WAD6096/1998 Banjima People (WCD2014/001); Then generally westerly, generally southwesterly, again generally westerly and generally northwesterly along the boundaries of that native title determination to the intersection with an easternmost boundary of the southern severance of Reserve 30082 (Karijini National Park) at Latitude 23.024322 South; Then generally southwesterly, westerly, northerly, again westerly and southerly along the boundaries of that reserve back to the commencement point. Note: • Geographic Coordinates provided in Decimal Degrees. • All referenced Deposited Plans and Diagrams are held by the Western Australian Land Information Authority, trading as Landgate. • Cadastral boundaries sourced from Landgate's Spatial Cadastral Database dated 28 February 2017. • For the avoidance of doubt the application excludes any land and waters already claimed by: • Native Title Determination Application WAD6096/1998 Banjima People (WCD2014/001) as determined in the Federal Court on 11 March 2014 • Native Title Determination Application WAD78/2005 Ngarlawangga People (WCD2016/007) as determined in the Federal Court on 7 December 2016 • Native Title Determination Application WAD6208/1998 Eastern Guruma (WCD2007/001) as determined in the Federal Court on 1 March 2007 • Native Title Determination Application WAD6007/2001 Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People (WCD2015/003) as determined in the Federal Court on 2 September 2015 • Native Title Determination Application WAD126/2005 Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura #2 (WCD2015/003) as determined in the Federal Court on 2 September 2015 • Native Title Determination Application WAD490/2016 Yinhawangka Gobawarrah (WC2016/004) as filed in the Federal Court on 17 October 2016 • Native Title Determination Application WAD196/2013 Nyiyaparli #3 (WC2013/003) as registered in the Federal Court on 27 August 2013 • Native Title Determination Application WAD216/2010 Yinhawangka Part B (WC2010/011) as registered in the Federal Court on 17 September 2010 Datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94) Prepared By: Graphic Services (Landgate) 19 June 2017 Use of Coordinates: Where coordinates are used within the description to represent cadastral or topographical boundaries or the intersection with such, they are intended as a guide only. As an outcome to the custodians of cadastral and topographic data continuously recalculating the geographic position of their data based on improved survey and data maintenance procedures, it is not possible to accurately define such a position other than by detailed ground survey. WAD216/2010 Yinhawangka Part B All those lands and waters commencing at Latitude 23.102006 South, Longitude 117.229470 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Application WAD490/2016 Yinhawangka Gobawarrah (WC2016/004); Then generally southeasterly along the boundaries of that native title application through the following coordinate positions: LATITUDE (SOUTH) LONGITUDE (EAST) 23.106455 117.231014 23.112366 117.231590 23.118310 117.231126 23.124225 117.229425 23.127875 117.227890 23.127988 117.227843 23.130283 117.228704 23.138193 117.235751 23.148405 117.240354 23.174007 117.263942 23.200902 117.293571 23.230099 117.332405 23.273679 117.364335 23.285473 117.371526 23.291658 117.376992 23.343292 117.411943 23.387736 117.436538 23.427001 117.454085 23.460186 117.459257 23.499850 117.450437 23.500493 117.451958 23.501417 117.454963 23.502728 117.460295 23.503685 117.465963 23.504288 117.471367 23.505599 117.476967 23.507027 117.482431 23.508162 117.488164 23.509416 117.494364 23.510373 117.500033 23.510741 117.505506 23.511462 117.510709 23.512950 117.516374 23.515378 117.521095 23.518160 117.525880 23.521237 117.530663 23.523666 117.535517 23.526389 117.540435 23.529700 117.544616 23.533421 117.548191 23.536908 117.552035 23.540219 117.556215 23.543529 117.560128 23.547192 117.563770 23.551619 117.566872 23.555282 117.570314 23.558534 117.574561 23.561903 117.578673 23.565390 117.582718 23.568994 117.586294 23.572598 117.589869 23.576791 117.593641 23.580926 117.597279 23.585708 117.600712 23.590663 117.603008 23.595681 117.606438 23.600523 117.610271 23.604951 117.613640 23.609202 117.616944 23.614162 117.620709 23.618472 117.624079 23.620303 117.625667 23.623315 117.628313 23.628040 117.632347 23.632292 117.636251 23.636544 117.639822 23.641387 117.644055 23.646171 117.647955 23.646644 117.648619 23.647886 117.650612 23.650257 117.655935 23.652392 117.660859 23.654527 117.666452 23.656310 117.672046 23.658681 117.677503 23.661229 117.683024 23.664307 117.687873 23.667442 117.692656 23.669637 117.698247 23.671889 117.703036 23.674612 117.707889 23.677394 117.712740 23.681471 117.716980 23.685018 117.721358 23.687036 117.726751 23.689316 117.731350 23.692117 117.734787 23.696147 117.737635

[26]

Then northwesterly to the intersection with an eastern boundary of Pastoral Lease N049718 (Mininer) at Latitude 23.571113 South being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Determination WAD72/1998 Nharnuwangga Wajarri and Ngarlawangga (WCD2000/001); Then generally northeasterly and generally southeasterly along the boundaries of that native title determination to Longitude 118.797685 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Determination WAD78/2005 Ngarlawangga People (WCD2000/001); Then generally northeasterly and generally northerly along the boundaries of that native title determination to Latitude 23.061676 South, Longitude 118.876551 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Application WAD340/2010 Yinhawangka Part A (WC2010/016); Then generally southwesterly and generally westerly along the boundaries of that native title application through the following coordinate positions: LATITUDE (SOUTH) LONGITUDE (EAST) 23.062409 118.874575 23.065608 118.865744 23.068261 118.858069 23.070620 118.851921 23.073480 118.843481 23.074262 118.839284 23.075714 118.834116 23.077712 118.827791 23.079694 118.821088 23.081751 118.816277 23.086291 118.808534 23.090515 118.801749 23.094178 118.795742 23.097517 118.790506 23.101209 118.785256 23.104217 118.780599 23.106951 118.775006 23.108388 118.772491 23.111713 118.766875 23.112037 118.766106 23.115155 118.761256 23.118494 118.756019 23.119341 118.753525 23.121722 118.747944 23.122813 118.742600 23.124214 118.739139 23.126005 118.733579 23.126491 118.730909 23.126617 118.725032 23.126736 118.712903 23.126523 118.707417 23.126199 118.699093 23.126598 118.691121 23.126525 118.683167 23.126968 118.676331 23.127292 118.669499 23.127993 118.663221 23.128074 118.656209 23.128583 118.651076 23.128695 118.638757 23.128371 118.630433 23.128468 118.623799 23.128203 118.616989 23.128521 118.609967 23.129383 118.604821 23.129664 118.596854 23.130136 118.593806 23.130026 118.590968 23.129798 118.585104 23.129923 118.579226

[27]

Then continuing westerly along the boundary of that native title application to the intersection with an eastern boundary of Reserve 30082 (Karijini National Park) at Latitude 23.129889 South; Then southerly and westerly along the boundaries of that reserve to Longitude 118.504822 East being a point on the present boundary of Native Title Application WAD340/2010 Yinhawangka Part A (WC2010/016); Then generally southwesterly and generally northwesterly along the boundaries of that native title application through the following coordinate positions: LATITUDE (SOUTH) LONGITUDE (EAST) 23.178931 118.503365 23.181459 118.501568 23.184576 118.499749 23.184886 118.498601 23.186338 118.496464 23.189640 118.490281 23.191755 118.483952 23.193451 118.478964 23.194873 118.473039 23.196443 118.464835 23.198036 118.457199 23.199702 118.448423 23.200785 118.442889 23.201818 118.436032 23.203079 118.428976 23.204450 118.421728 23.206890 118.411598 23.208630 118.404715 23.209021 118.399586 23.210193 118.396323 23.211616 118.390398 23.212899 118.383909 23.214646 118.377214 23.216054 118.370911 23.217344 118.364611 23.219593 118.355624 23.220993 118.349131 23.222062 118.343219 23.223131 118.337307 23.225557 118.326799 23.228144 118.317421 23.230702 118.310319 23.232744 118.305129 23.236931 118.294367 23.238965 118.288989 23.239113 118.286710 23.240049 118.283455 23.240823 118.279069 23.241200 118.273562 23.241731 118.268996 23.241709 118.262366 23.241864 118.257245 23.242358 118.251733 23.242603 118.242820 23.243274 118.235786 23.244041 118.228180 23.244418 118.222672 23.244713 118.215083 23.244722 118.206178 23.245445 118.200469 23.245954 118.195335 23.245711 118.189092 23.245483 118.183228 23.245071 118.172634 23.244858 118.167147 23.244534 118.158824 23.243967 118.153350 23.243739 118.147486 23.243474 118.140675 23.243651 118.136122 23.244042 118.130993 23.245067 118.123946 23.245922 118.121641 23.247684 118.115325 23.248244 118.114546 23.248561 118.113588 23.249777 118.111459 23.253123 118.106412 23.254708 118.104649 23.257022 118.100396 23.262844 118.092228 23.267244 118.086952 23.270841 118.082274 23.271497 118.080924 23.273973 118.077803 23.278845 118.072510 23.279169 118.071740 23.281984 118.068227 23.283488 118.067415 23.285073 118.065652 23.291595 118.060298 23.296268 118.055960 23.296946 118.055177 23.300926 118.051243 23.303071 118.048702 23.305039 118.047683 23.307707 118.043417 23.310058 118.037080 23.313714 118.030884 23.317046 118.025458 23.320724 118.019829 23.323141 118.015194 23.326112 118.009592 23.329399 118.003031 23.332665 117.995902 23.335076 117.991078 23.338673 117.983369 23.342167 117.976043 23.343081 117.975252 23.344032 117.972375 23.345418 117.968536 23.347260 117.964301 23.347430 117.962589 23.347806 117.954051 23.347947 117.948551 23.348987 117.941883 23.349119 117.939226 23.350144 117.932179 23.350573 117.924964 23.351324 117.920011 23.352659 117.911816 23.352991 117.905173 23.352726 117.898363 23.352484 117.892120 23.352109 117.882472 23.351829 117.875283 23.351601 117.869418 23.351373 117.863553 23.351130 117.857310 23.350851 117.850121 23.349613 117.842589 23.347543 117.831866 23.344331 117.822132 23.342017 117.814259 23.339888 117.808085 23.338024 117.802659 23.336196 117.798179 23.333168 117.793175 23.330729 117.788149 23.327892 117.782000 23.323721 117.774954 23.322026 117.770848 23.317826 117.763044 23.315041 117.758220 23.312970 117.753559 23.310435 117.749105 23.306353 117.741298 23.302521 117.733860 23.294732 117.724861 23.291283 117.721198 23.286538 117.714551 23.283752 117.709727 23.281107 117.705466 23.278520 117.699688 23.275838 117.694481 23.275042 117.692237 23.271926 117.684962 23.268684 117.677503 23.265729 117.668328 23.263194 117.660842 23.261751 117.657106 23.259326 117.652458 23.255900 117.646332 23.253513 117.642630 23.248959 117.634839 23.246881 117.629989 23.245835 117.627375 23.245061 117.625698 23.243263 117.621975 23.240515 117.615065 23.237797 117.605882 23.236390 117.600060 23.234157 117.594269 23.231652 117.587540 23.228763 117.580067 23.227629 117.575183 23.225764 117.569757 23.223635 117.563583 23.221800 117.558914 23.220024 117.552727 23.218042 117.544274 23.216583 117.540159 23.216149 117.538091 23.214004 117.531538 23.211904 117.526121 23.210408 117.521060 23.207948 117.509404 23.205737 117.501149 23.201722 117.488981 23.198848 117.481887 23.196734 117.476091 23.194508 117.470488 23.193381 117.465793 23.192623 117.455400 23.189830 117.450387 23.186735 117.443679 23.184503 117.437888 23.179617 117.427646 23.177149 117.421863 23.173634 117.413465 23.170731 117.405614 23.167828 117.397763 23.163532 117.387499 23.160393 117.379657 23.158529 117.374231 23.156429 117.368813 23.153165 117.360786 23.151426 117.355544 23.148199 117.348463 23.144013 117.341038 23.141095 117.332809 23.137956 117.324966 23.134648 117.315804 23.131738 117.307764 23.130013 117.302901 23.127862 117.299191 23.127176 117.296753 23.125393 117.293408 23.121864 117.284633 23.118555 117.275471 23.115372 117.266493 23.113184 117.261837 23.111459 117.256974 23.109949 117.251535 23.108114 117.246866 23.105145 117.237312

[33]

Then northwesterly back to the commencement point. EXCLUSIONS: • All that land comprising Pastoral Lease N050372 (Rocklea). 6. Nyimili All those land and waters wholly within the external boundary of Native Title Application WAD340/2010 Yinhawangka Part A (WC2010/016) commencing at Latitude 22.765367 South, Longitude 117.620913 East and extending generally southeasterly, generally southwesterly, generally northwesterly, generally northerly and generally northwesterly through the following coordinate positions: LATITUDE (SOUTH) LONGITUDE (EAST) 22.766148 117.624451 22.767648 117.627732 22.769948 117.631818 22.771807 117.634949 22.774406 117.638748 22.777273 117.641466 22.779884 117.642799 22.784615 117.644144 22.787476 117.644855 22.790782 117.645988 22.793554 117.647203 22.796648 117.648899 22.800336 117.651519 22.802892 117.653904 22.805952 117.657211 22.810167 117.662118 22.813376 117.665842 22.817312 117.670294 22.819789 117.672705 22.822124 117.674558 22.825007 117.676451 22.827216 117.678411 22.829488 117.680884 22.832158 117.684336 22.834690 117.687886 22.836873 117.690971 22.839695 117.694158 22.844578 117.700672 22.847970 117.704184 22.851199 117.706963 22.855157 117.709570 22.858679 117.711081 22.861927 117.711975 22.866826 117.712473 22.870849 117.712283 22.874851 117.711629 22.879544 117.712220 22.880379 117.712614 22.881931 117.712868 22.883273 117.712204 22.883850 117.711171 22.884045 117.709609 22.884059 117.708426 22.887720 117.706270 22.890809 117.707147 22.892698 117.707281 22.894284 117.706145 22.894676 117.705056 22.894385 117.701383 22.896817 117.698939 22.899437 117.695723 22.901594 117.692851 22.904339 117.688360 22.906356 117.684180 22.908051 117.679792 22.909313 117.675886 22.910310 117.671310 22.910614 117.663652 22.910205 117.659527 22.909302 117.654928 22.908261 117.650481 22.907054 117.644948 22.906163 117.641121 22.904559 117.636285 22.902769 117.631965 22.901265 117.628740 22.899040 117.624536 22.894806 117.619541 22.890725 117.617061 22.886228 117.616013 22.883925 117.616232 22.880607 117.617313 22.875868 117.619454 22.872090 117.620741 22.869334 117.621109 22.864394 117.620589 22.861148 117.619979 22.857366 117.619094 22.853565 117.617989 22.849793 117.616675 22.846038 117.615255 22.841271 117.613266 22.836028 117.610911 22.832413 117.609262 22.829333 117.607928 22.826245 117.606648 22.824173 117.605853 22.819453 117.604305 22.815770 117.603268 22.812058 117.602379 22.807808 117.601521 22.803657 117.600725 22.800133 117.600047 22.796603 117.599702 22.793559 117.599844 22.790041 117.600596 22.786048 117.601798 22.783109 117.602913 22.779180 117.604524 22.775703 117.605999 22.772774 117.607359 22.768453 117.610427 22.766683 117.613099 22.765576 117.616678

[36]

AREAS WHERE NATIVE TITLE DOES NOT EXIST (PARAGRAPH 2) Native Title does not exist in relation to land and waters the subject of the following interests within the Determination Area which, with the exception of public works (as described in clause 5 of this Schedule), are generally shown as shaded in pink on the maps at Schedule Two:

Freehold Grants of estates in fee simple within the Determination Area including the following: Freehold No. CT0170200692 CT0170300204 CT0170300205 CT0170300207 CT0170300208 CT0170300210 CT0170300211 CT0170300212 CT0170300215 CT0170300217 CT0170300218 CT0170300219 CT0170300220 CT0170300222 CT0170300224 CT0170300225 CT0170300226 CT0170300227 CT0170300228 CT0170300229 CT0170300230 CT0170300231 CT0170300232 CT0170300233 CT0170300234 CT0170300235 CT0170300236 CT0170300237 CT0170300238 CT0170300239 CT0170300240 CT0170300241 CT0170300242 CT0170300243 CT0170300244 CT0170300245 CT0170300246 CT0170300247 CT0170300248 CT0170300249 CT0170300250 CT0170300251 CT0170300252 CT0170300253 CT0170300255 CT0170300257 CT0170300258 CT0170300259 CT0170300260 CT0170300261 CT0170300262 CT0170300263 CT0170300264 CT0170300265 CT0170300266 CT0170300267 CT0170300268 CT0170300269 CT0170300270 CT0170300271 CT0170300272 CT0170300273 CT0170300274 CT0170300275 CT0170300276 CT0170300277 CT0170300278 CT0170300279 CT0170300280 CT0170300281 CT0170300282 CT0170300283 CT0170300284 CT0170300285 CT0170300286 CT0170300287 CT0170300288 CT0170300289 CT0170300290 CT0170300291 CT0170300292 CT0170300293 CT0170300294 CT0170300295 CT0170300296 CT0170300297 CT0170300298 CT0170300299 CT0170300300 CT0170300301 CT0170300302 CT0170300303 CT0170300304 CT0170300305 CT0170300306 CT0170300307 CT0170300308 CT0170300309 CT0170300310 CT0170300311 CT0170300312 CT0170300313 CT0170300314 CT0170300315 CT0170300316 CT0170300318 CT0170300319 CT0170300320 CT0170300321 CT0170300322 CT0170300323 CT0170300324 CT0170300325 CT0170300326 CT0170300327 CT0170300329 CT0170300331 CT0170300332 CT0170300333 CT0170300334 CT0170300335 CT0170300336 CT0170300337 CT0170300338 CT0170300339 CT0170300340 CT0170300341 CT0170300342 CT0170300343 CT0170300344 CT0170300345 CT0170300346 CT0170300347 CT0170300348 CT0170300349 CT0170300350 CT0170300351 CT0170300352 CT0170300353 CT0170300354 CT0170300355 CT0170300356 CT0170300357 CT0170300358 CT0170300359 CT0170300360 CT0170300361 CT0170300362 CT0170300363 CT0170300364 CT0170300365 CT0170300366 CT0170300367 CT0170300368 CT0170300369 CT0170300370 CT0170300372 CT0170300373 CT0170300374 CT0170300375 CT0170300376 CT0170300377 CT0170300378 CT0170300379 CT0170300380 CT0170300381 CT0170300382 CT0170300383 CT0170300384 CT0170300385 CT0170300386 CT0170300387 CT0170300388 CT0170300389 CT0170300390 CT0170300391 CT0170300392 CT0170300393 CT0170300394 CT0170300395 CT0170300396 CT0170300397 CT0170300398 CT0170300399 CT0170300401 CT0170300402 CT0170300403 CT0170300404 CT0170300405 CT0170300406 CT0170300407 CT0170300408 CT0170300409 CT0170300410 CT0170300411 CT0170300412 CT0170300413 CT0170300414 CT0170300415 CT0170300416 CT0170300417 CT0170300418 CT0170300419 CT0170300420 CT0170300421 CT0170300422 CT0170300423 CT0170300424 CT0170300425 CT0170300426 CT0170300427 CT0170300428 CT0170300429 CT0170300430 CT0170300431 CT0170300432 CT0170300433 CT0170300434 CT0170300435 CT0170300436 CT0170300437 CT0170300438 CT0170300439 CT0170300440 CT0170300441 CT0170300442 CT0170300443 CT0170300444 CT0170300445 CT0170300446 CT0170300447 CT0170300448 CT0170300449 CT0170300450 CT0170300451 CT0170300452 CT0170300453 CT0170300454 CT0170300455 CT0170300456 CT0170300457 CT0170300458 CT0170300459 CT0170300460 CT0170300461 CT0170300462 CT0170300464 CT0170300465 CT0170300466 CT0170300467 CT0170300468 CT0170300469 CT0170300470 CT0170300471 CT0170300472 CT0170300473 CT0170300474 CT0170300475 CT0170300476 CT0170300477 CT0170300478 CT0170300479 CT0170300480 CT0170300481 CT0170300482 CT0170300483 CT0170300484 CT0170300485 CT0170300486 CT0170300487 CT0170300488 CT0170300489 CT0170300490 CT0170300491 CT0170300492 CT0170300493 CT0170300494 CT0170300495 CT0170300496 CT0170300497 CT0170300498 CT0170300499 CT0170300500 CT0170300501 CT0170300502 CT0170300503 CT0170300504 CT0170300505 CT0170300506 CT0170300507 CT0170300508 CT0170300509 CT0170300510 CT0170300511 CT0170300512 CT0170300513 CT0170300514 CT0170300515 CT0170300516 CT0170300517 CT0170300518 CT0170300519 CT0170300520 CT0170300521 CT0170300523 CT0170300524 CT0170300525 CT0170300526 CT0170300527 CT0170300528 CT0170300529 CT0170300530 CT0170300531 CT0170300532 CT0170300533 CT0170300534 CT0170300535 CT0170300536 CT0170300537 CT0170300538 CT0170300539 CT0170300540 CT0170300541 CT0170300542 CT0170300543 CT0170300544 CT0170300545 CT0170300546 CT0170300547 CT0170300548 CT0170300549 CT0170300550 CT0170300551 CT0170300552 CT0170300553 CT0170300554 CT0170300555 CT0170300556 CT0170300557 CT0170300558 CT0170300559 CT0170300560 CT0170300561 CT0170300562 CT0170300563 CT0170300564 CT0170300565 CT0170300566 CT0170300567 CT0170300568 CT0170300569 CT0170300570 CT0170300571 CT0170300572 CT0170300573 CT0170300574 CT0170300575 CT0170300576 CT0170300577 CT0170300578 CT0170300579 CT0170300580 CT0170300581 CT0170300582 CT0170300583 CT0170300584 CT0170300585 CT0170300586 CT0170300587 CT0170300588 CT0170300589 CT0170300591 CT0170300592 CT0170300593 CT0170300594 CT0170300595 CT0170300596 CT0170300597 CT0170300598 CT0170300599 CT0170300600 CT0170300601 CT0170300602 CT0170300603 CT0170300604 CT0170300605 CT0170300606 CT0170300607 CT0170300608 CT0170300609 CT0170300610 CT0170300611 CT0170300612 CT0170300613 CT0170300614 CT0170300615 CT0170300616 CT0170300617 CT0170300618 CT0170300619 CT0170300620 CT0170300621 CT0170300623 CT0170300628 CT0170300630 CT0170300633 CT0170300634 CT0170300635 CT0170300636 CT0170300637 CT0170300638 CT0170300639 CT0170300640 CT0170300641 CT0170300642 CT0170300643 CT0170300644 CT0170300645 CT0170300646 CT0170300647 CT0170300648 CT0170300649 CT0170300650 CT0170300651 CT0170300652 CT0170300653 CT0170300654 CT0170300655 CT0170300656 CT0170300657 CT0170300658 CT0170300659 CT0170300660 CT0170300661 CT0170300662 CT0170300663 CT0170300664 CT0170300665 CT0170300666 CT0170300667 CT0170300668 CT0170300669 CT0170300670 CT0170300671 CT0170300672 CT0170300673 CT0170300674 CT0170300675 CT0170300676 CT0170300677 CT0170300678 CT0170300679 CT0170300680 CT0170300681 CT0170300682 CT0170300685 CT0170300686 CT0170300687 CT0170300688 CT0170300689 CT0170300690 CT0170300691 CT0170300692 CT0170300693 CT0170300694 CT0170300695 CT0170300696 CT0170300697 CT0170300698 CT0170300699 CT0170300700 CT0170300701 CT0170300702 CT0170300703 CT0170300704 CT0170300705 CT0170300706 CT0170300707 CT0170300708 CT0170300709 CT0170300710 CT0170300711 CT0170300712 CT0170300713 CT0170300714 CT0170300715 CT0170300716 CT0170300717 CT0170300718 CT0170300719 CT0170300720 CT0170300721 CT0170300722 CT0170300723 CT0170300724 CT0170300725 CT0170300726 CT0170300727 CT0170300728 CT0170300729 CT0170300730 CT0170300731 CT0170300732 CT0170300733 CT0170300734 CT0170300735 CT0170300736 CT0170300737 CT0170300738 CT0170300739 CT0170300740 CT0170300741 CT0170300742 CT0170300743 CT0170300744 CT0170300745 CT0170300746 CT0170300747 CT0170300750 CT0170300751 CT0170300752 CT0170300753 CT0170300754 CT0170300755 CT0170300756 CT0170300757 CT0170300758 CT0170300759 CT0170300760 CT0170300761 CT0170300762 CT0170300763 CT0170300764 CT0170300765 CT0170300766 CT0170300767 CT0170300768 CT0170300769 CT0170300770 CT0170300771 CT0170300772 CT0170300773 CT0170300774 CT0170300775 CT0170300776 CT0170300777 CT0170300778 CT0170300779 CT0170300780 CT0170300781 CT0170300782 CT0170300783 CT0170300784 CT0170300785 CT0170300786 CT0170300787 CT0170300788 CT0170300789 CT0170300790 CT0170300791 CT0170300792 CT0170300793 CT0170300794 CT0170300795 CT0170300796 CT0170300797 CT0170300798 CT0170300799 CT0170300800 CT0170300801 CT0170300802 CT0170300804 CT0170300806 CT0170300807 CT0170300808 CT0170300809 CT0170300810 CT0170300811 CT0170300812 CT0170300813 CT0170300814 CT0170300815 CT0170300816 CT0170300817 CT0170300818 CT0170300819 CT0170300820 CT0170300821 CT0170300822 CT0170300823 CT0170300824 CT0170300825 CT0170300826 CT0170300827 CT0170300828 CT0170300829 CT0170300830 CT0170300831 CT0170300832 CT0170300833 CT0170300834 CT0170300835 CT0170300836 CT0170300837 CT0170300838 CT0170300839 CT0170300840 CT0170300841 CT0170300842 CT0170300843 CT0170300844 CT0170300845 CT0170300846 CT0170300847 CT0170300848 CT0170300849 CT0170300850 CT0170300851 CT0170300852 CT0170300853 CT0170300854 CT0170300855 CT0170300856 CT0170300857 CT0170300858 CT0170300859 CT0170300860 CT0170300861 CT0170300862 CT0170300863 CT0170300864 CT0170300865 CT0170300866 CT0170300867 CT0170300868 CT0170300869 CT0170300870 CT0170300871 CT0170300872 CT0170300874 CT0170500851 CT0170500852 CT0172100559 CT0178600661 CT0178600662 CT0178600663 CT0178600664 CT0178600665 CT0178600666 CT0178600668 CT0178600670 CT0178900866 CT0178900867 CT0180100787 CT0180100790 CT0180100791 CT0182100093 CT0183600717 CT0184800101 CT0185600028 CT0185600039 CT0185600040 CT0186300073 CT0186900678 CT0190200965 CT0190200966 CT0190200967 CT0190200968 CT0190200969 CT0190200970 CT0190200971 CT0190200972 CT0190200973 CT0190200974 CT0190200975 CT0190200976 CT0190200978 CT0190300501 CT0190300502 CT0190300503 CT0190300504 CT0190300505 CT0190300506 CT0190300507 CT0190300508 CT0190300509 CT0190300510 CT0190300511 CT0190300512 CT0190300513 CT0190300514 CT0190300515 CT0190300516 CT0190300517 CT0190300518 CT0190300519 CT0190300520 CT0190300521 CT0190300522 CT0190300523 CT0190300524 CT0190300525 CT0190300526 CT0190300527 CT0190300528 CT0190300529 CT0190300530 CT0190300531 CT0190300532 CT0190300533 CT0192100206 CT0192400238 CT0192400240 CT0193600342 CT0193600343 CT0193600344 CT0193600345 CT0193600346 CT0193600347 CT0193600348 CT0193600349 CT0193600350 CT0193600351 CT0193600352 CT0193600353 CT0193600354 CT0193600355 CT0193600356 CT0193600357 CT0193600358 CT0193600359 CT0193600360 CT0193600361 CT0193600362 CT0193600363 CT0193600364 CT0193600365 CT0193600366 CT0193600367 CT0193600368 CT0193600369 CT0193600370 CT0193600371 CT0193600372 CT0193600373 CT0193600374 CT0193600375 CT0193600376 CT0193600377 CT0193600378 CT0193600379 CT0193600380 CT0193600381 CT0193600382 CT0193600383 CT0196300977 CT0196700750 CT0196700751 CT0196900419 CT0196900420 CT0196900421 CT0196900422 CT0196900423 CT0196900424 CT0196900425 CT0196900426 CT0196900427 CT0205700329 CT0212300200 CT0222600084 CT0264900584 CT0266000890 CT0268700691 CT0275100100 CT0286200051 CT0286200052 CT0286200053 CT0286200054 CT0286200055 S021762

[38]

Leases Lease No. Current / Last Purpose GE H249216 Light industry GE H326886 Radio, television and telecommunications GE I123646 (formerly 3116/7842) Construction and operation of power transmission line, control equipment, access track and other ancillary works, facilities and installations GE I131315 (formerly 3116/11402) Light industrial GE I134853 (formerly 3116/11818) Bulk fuel depot GE I144501 (formerly 3116/3467) Boring for, conserving, reticulating and drawing water GE I150241 (formerly 3116/11350) Light industry GE I150337 (formerly 3116/11367) Light industrial GE I206646 (formerly 3116/4592) Construction, upgrading, realignment, operation and use of a railway Laying out, development, construction, provision and operation of and use as a townsite GE I886933 Light industry GE J089597 Light industry GE M920522 (formerly GE J412198; 3116/10834) Light industry GE J717063 Construction, use, operation and maintenance of a rail spur line and associated access road and infrastructure GE K013039 Light industry GE K560303 Industry GE L215248 Communication site GE L599731 Light industry GE N104721 (formerly 3116/04585) Laying out, development, construction, provision and operation of and use as an aerodrome GE N104722 (formerly 3116/04587) Allotting portions of the land to contractors and manufacturers for their respective uses whilst engaged on work associated with the construction and operation of the mine in and plant on the mineral lease, the town of Paraburdoo, the railway and facilities associated with all or any of the foregoing GE N104723 (formerly 3116/04588) Laying out, construction, provision and operation of and use as a miscellaneous plant, equipment and machinery workshops and service facilities associated therewith GE N104470 (formerly 3116/04589) Laying out, development, construction, provision and operation of and use as a construction camp for the housing of the construction force engaged in the present and future development works of the Company and in the construction of the mine and plan during its normal operations and of the town of Paraburdoo and of the facilities associated therewith GE N104471 (formerly 3116/04590) Laying out, development, construction, provision and operation of and use as a sewerage treatment plant and radio and TV transmission tower to serve the town of Paraburdoo (1) Establishment and maintenance of a greenbelt or rural zone for the townsite of Paraburdoo; 3116/04591 (2) The use of that land in respect of or in connection with the control by the Company of any undesirable elements who are or may be attracted or would otherwise be attracted to that townsite or to the other operations of the Company in the vicinity; (3) Construction and use of roads; and (4) Construction, laying out and use of power transmission line, communications system and associated and other facilities and services for the townsite of Paraburdoo GE N104473 (formerly 3116/04593) Laying out, development, construction, provision and operation of and use as a site for water storage tanks for the supply of water to Paraburdoo, the mine and mine plant, and the industrial area and construction camp GE N104474 (formerly 3116/04594) Laying out, development, construction, provision and operation of and use for main water supply lines to Paraburdoo, the mine and mine plant, the industrial area and construction camp GE N104193 (formerly 3116/08933) Development, construction, provision, operation and use of water bore holes, a water pipeline and a power transmission line and installations and facilities ancillary thereto

[39]

Roads Dedicated roads, roads set aside, taken or resumed or roads which are to be considered public works (as that expression is defined in the Native Title Act and the Titles (Validation) and Native Title (Effect of Past Acts) Act 1995 (WA)), including the following: MapInfo ID Description Shown in ROAD 01 Tom Price-Paraburdoo Road Deposited Plan 217031 ROAD 03 Tom Price-Paraburdoo Road Deposited Plan 242851 ROAD 04 Road No. 14619 Government Gazette 11 July 1975 ROAD 05 Road No. 1718 Government Gazette 18 December 1903 ROAD 06 Road No. 14619 Government Gazette 3 March 1972 ROAD 07 Road No. 5424 Public Plan 503114 cancelled on 6 July 1925 ROAD 08 Portions of Channar Avenue, Pilbara Avenue, Whaleback Avenue and Joffre Avenue Deposited Plan 14862 ROAD 09 Portions of Bruce Avenue, Dale Avenue, Yampire Avenue and Samson Avenue Deposited Plan 14949 ROAD 10 Bennett Avenue Deposited Plan 17647 ROAD 11 Portions of Ashburton Avenue and Robe Avenue Deposited Plan 14865 ROAD 12 Murchinson Avenue, Exmouth Avnenue, Roebourne Avenue, Chichester Avenue, Barrow Avenue, Wittenoom Avenue, Turner Road and portions of Ashburton Avenue and Camp Road Deposited Plan 14725 ROAD 13 Wyloo Road, Gascoyne Avenue and portions of Ashburton Avenue, Rocklea Road and Camp Road Deposited Plan 14723 ROAD 14 Anzac Court, Mininer Lane and Ashburton Court Deposited Plan 15743 ROAD 15 Portions of Channar Avenue, Whaleback Avenue, Pilbara Avenue and Joffre Avenue Deposited Plan 14951 ROAD 16 King Avenue and portions of Nickol Avenue and Meharry Road Deposited Plan 14947 ROAD 17 Anzac Place and portion of Fortescue Road Deposited Plan 15365 ROAD 18 Brockman Avenue, Margaret Avenue, Monte Bello Avenue, Lockyer Avenue and portion of Meharry Road Deposited Plan 14861 ROAD 19 Portions of Ashburton Avenue and Robe Avenue Deposited Plan 14864 ROAD 20 Bellary Avenue, Jope Court and Maguire Avenue Deposited Plan 17646 ROAD 21 McRae Avenue and portion of Ashburton Avenue Deposited Plan 14726 ROAD 22 Meeka Avenue Deposited Plan 14968 ROAD 23 Coppin Court Deposited Plan 16693 ROAD 24 Mettawandy Place and portion of Camp Road Deposited Plan 188713 ROAD 25 Portions of Bruce Avenue, Dale Avenue, Yampire Avenue and Samson Avenue Deposited Plan 14950 ROAD 26 Weano Crescent, Muchamary street and Howies Close Deposited Plan 217706 ROAD 27 Turee Way and portion of Camp Road Deposited Plan 216685 ROAD 28 Capricorn Avenue, Hardy Avenue and portions of Ashburton Avenue and Camp Road Deposited Plan 14724 ROAD 29 You Yi Lane Deposited Plan 80075 ROAD 30 Portion of Camp Road Deposited Plan 216547 ROAD 31 Gregory Way, Yathala Way and portion of Rocklea Road Deposited Plan 216817 ROAD 32 De Coursey Avenue and portion of Nickol Avenue Deposited Plan 14948 ROAD 36 Road No. 16245 (Beasley Road / Paraburdoo Road) Government Gazette 24 April 1980 and 29 May 1981 ROAD 37 Widening of portion of Paraburdoo Road Deposited Plan 41996 ROAD 38 Fortescue Road, De Grey Road and portion of Nickol Avenue Deposited Plan 14840 ROAD Lot 60 Deposited Plan 216685

[60]

Access to Mining and Petroleum Area (a) Without limiting the operation of any other clause in Schedule Six, but subject to clause 8(b) below, any rights of the holders from time to time of a mining tenement or petroleum title, including those referred to in clauses 6 and 7 of Schedule Six, to use (including by servants, agents and contractors) such portions of existing roads and tracks in the Determination Area as necessary to have access to the area the subject of the mining tenement or petroleum title for the purposes of exercising the rights granted by that tenement or title. (b) Nothing in clause 8(a) above allows any upgrade, extension, widening or other improvement to the road or track other than work done to maintain it in reasonable repair and in order to leave it in substantially the same condition as it was prior to its use pursuant to clause 8(a). (c) Nothing in Schedule Six will limit the rights of the holders from time to time of mining tenements or petroleum titles, including those referred to in clauses 6 and 7 of Schedule Six, including, without limitation, any right to exclude members of the public from entering onto the land and waters the subject of any mining tenement or petroleum title.
Indigenous Land Use Agreements (a) The RTIO and Yinhawangka People Indigenous Land Use Agreement (Area Agreement) dated 31 January 2013, and registered on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements on 5 July 2013 (Tribunal No. WI2013/001), and the rights and interests comprised in, conferred under, or in accordance with, or pursuant to, that ILUA. (b) The Yinhawangka and BHP Billiton Project Agreement Initial ILUA (Area Agreement) dated 10 February 2016, and registered on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements on 29 July 2016 (Tribunal No. WI2016/001), and the rights and interests comprised in, conferred under, or in accordance with, or pursuant to, that ILUA.
Other The following rights and interests: (a) Rights and interests, including licences and permits, granted by the Crown in right of the State or of the Commonwealth pursuant to statute or otherwise in the exercise of its executive power and any regulations made pursuant to such legislation; (b) Rights and interests held by reason of the force and operation of the laws of the State or of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to, the force and operation of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (WA); (c) Rights and interests of members of the public arising under the common law, including but not limited to: (i) the public right to fish; (ii) the public right to navigate; and (iii) the right of any person to use and enjoy any roads in the Determination Area (subject to the laws of the State) over which, as at the date of this Determination, members of the public have a right of access under the common law; (d) The right to access the Determination Area by: (i) an employee, agent or instrumentality of the State; (ii) an employee, agent or instrumentality of the Commonwealth; and (iii) an employee, agent or instrumentality of any local government authority, as required in the performance of his or her statutory or common law duty; (e) So far as confirmed pursuant to section 212(2) of the Native Title Act and section 14 of the Titles (Validation) and Native Title (Effect of Past Acts) Act 1995 (WA) as at the date of this Determination, any existing public access to, and enjoyment of, the following places in the Determination Area: (i) waterways; (ii) beds and banks or foreshores of waterways; (iii) coastal waters; (iv) beaches; (v) stock routes; and (vi) areas that were public places at the end of 31 December 1993; (f) Any other: (i) legal or equitable estate or interest in the land or waters; or (ii) right (including a right under an option and a right of redemption), charge, power or privilege over, or in connection with: (A) the land or waters; or (B) an estate or interest in the land or waters; or (iii) restriction on the use of the land or waters, whether or not annexed to other land or waters. SCHEDULE SEVEN NATIVE TITLE HOLDERS (PARAGRAPH 3) The Yinhawangka People are those persons who: (a) are descended from, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by the Yinhawangka People: (i) Minatangunha; (ii) Jarndunha; or (iii) the couple Thurantajinha and Wilga; and (b) identify themselves as Yinhawangka under traditional law and custom and are so identified by other Yinhawangka People as Yinhawangka; and (c) have a connection with the land and waters of the Determination Area, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by the Yinhawangka People.

[62]

PROCEDURAL HISTORY 3 The Yinhawangka Applications are the result of the combination, amendment and withdrawal of the following adjacent and overlapping native title determination applications: (a) WAD6285/1998 ("Innawonga Application") lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal ("Tribunal") on 29 September 1998; (b) WAD6173/1998 ("Gobawarrah Minduarra Yinhawanga Application") lodged with the Tribunal on 25 June 1997; and (c) WAD6096/1998 ("Innawonga Banjima Application") lodged with the Tribunal on 4 June 1996. 4 The Yinhawangka members of the Innawonga Banjima Application were largely the same people who were members of the Innawonga Application. Further, members of the native title claim groups for the Innawonga and Gobawarrah Minduarra Yinhawanga Applications, and Yinhawangka members of the Innawonga Banjima Application, are all descended from one or more of the same forebears; that is, Minatangunha, Jarndunha and the married couple Thurantajinha and Wilga, each of whom are said to have been Yinhawangka people. 5 In 2010, members of the claim groups for the Innawonga and Gobawarrah Minduarra Yinhawanga Applications agreed to proceed with claims over areas which became the Yinhawangka Part A and Yinhawangka Part B Applications. 6 The whole of the Yinhawangka Part A Application area was previously covered by the Innawonga Banjima Application. On 11 November 2010, the boundary of the latter application was amended, withdrawing from the area that would subsequently be covered by the Yinhawangka Part A Application. 7 Also on 11 November 2010, the Yinhawangka Part A Application was filed with the Court pursuant to s 61 of the NT Act. On 12 November 2010, the Court gave a copy of the Yinhawangka Part A Application to the Native Title Registrar of the Tribunal pursuant to s 63 of the NT Act. The Yinhawangka Part A Application was then considered by the Native Title Registrar pursuant to s 190A of the NT Act ("the registration test"). The Native Title Registrar was satisfied that the Yinhawangka Part A Application addressed the criteria of the registration test and the application was entered onto the Register of Native Title Claims on 10 December 2010. 8 The Yinhawangka Part A Application was subsequently notified by the Native Title Registrar pursuant to s 66 of the NT Act. The period of three months after the notification day referred to in ss 66(8) and 66(10)(c) of the NT Act ended on 23 May 2011. 9 The parties to the Yinhawangka Part A Application are: (a) the Applicant; (b) the State of Western Australia; (c) the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia; (d) the Shire of Ashburton; (e) Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation ("YMAC"); (f) the following mining interests: (i) BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd, Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd and United Iron Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton interests); (ii) Channar Mining Pty Ltd, Hamersley Exploration Pty Ltd, Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd, Hamersley WA Pty Ltd, Mitsui Iron Ore Development Pty Ltd, Mt Bruce Mining Pty Ltd, North Mining Ltd, Robe River Ltd and Robe River Mining Co Pty Ltd (Rio Tinto interests); (iii) FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd; (iv) Hope Downs Iron Ore Pty Ltd; and (v) Sinosteel Channar Pty Ltd; and (g) the following pastoral interests: (i) Cheela Plains Pastoral Co Pty Ltd; (ii) Andrew Nicholas Glenn (Ashburton Downs Station); (iii) Wendy Ruth Harvey (Mininer Station); and (iv) Bruce Michael Maguire and Turee Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (Turee Creek Station). 10 On 12 August 2010, the Yinhawangka Part B Application was filed with the Court pursuant to s 61 of the NT Act over an area of land previously subject to the Gobawarrah Minduarra Yinhawanga Application and the Innawonga Application. By an order of the Court dated 12 August 2010, the Gobawarrah Minduarra Yinhawanga Application was amended to make way for that part of the Yinhawangka Part B Application not covered by the Innawonga Application. By an order of the Court dated 3 September 2010, the Innawonga Application was amended and combined with the Yinhawangka Part B Application, with the latter application becoming the lead application. 11 On 7 September 2010, the Court gave a copy of the Yinhawangka Part B Application to the Native Title Registrar pursuant to s 64(4) of the NT Act, who then applied the registration test. The Native Title Registrar was satisfied that the Yinhawangka Part B Application addressed the criteria of the registration test and the application was entered onto the Register of Native Title Claims on 17 September 2010. 12 The Yinhawangka Part B Application was subsequently notified by the Native Title Registrar pursuant to s 66 of the NT Act. The period of three months after the notification day referred to in ss 66(8) and 66(10)(c) of the NT Act ended on 2 February 2011. 13 The parties to the Yinhwangka Part B Application are: (a) the Applicant; (b) the State of Western Australia; (c) the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia; (d) YMAC; (e) the following mining interests: (i) Channar Mining Pty Ltd, Hamersley Exploration Pty Ltd, Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd, Mt Bruce Mining Pty Ltd and Robe River Mining Co Ltd (Rio Tinto interests); (ii) FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd; and (iii) Sinosteel Channar Pty Ltd; and (f) the following pastoral interests: (i) Barkley Marshall Day, Zane Bradley Day, Joan Elizabeth Day and Richard Ernest Day (Mt Vernon Station); (ii) Andrew Nicholas Glenn (Ashburton Downs Station); (iii) Wendy Ruth Harvey (Mininer Station); (iv) Rocklea Station Pty Ltd; and (v) Turee Pastoral Co Pty Ltd and Bruce Michael Maguire (Turee Creek Station). 14 On 21 November 2016, the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia intervened pursuant to s 84A of the NT Act in both of the Yinhawangka Applications. 15 The Court has actively monitored the progress of the proceedings, and negotiations in relation to the proceedings, through case management.

[63]

AGREEMENT TO DETERMINATION OF NATIVE TITLE 16 The parties to the proceedings have reached agreement as to the terms of the determination of native title in relation to the Determination Area ("Determination") and the form orders of to be made by the Court pursuant to ss 87 and 94A of the NT Act. The parties are agreed that it is appropriate to provide recognition of the native title rights and interests held by members of the Yinhawangka People in relation to the Determination Area. 17 In support of the agreement reached, the following documents have been filed: (a) a Minute of Consent Determination of native title signed by each party and the Commonwealth, and filed on 4 July 2017 ("Minute"); (b) joint submissions of the Applicants and the First Respondent ("State") in support of the Minute, filed on 4 July 2017 ("joint submissions"); and (c) an affidavit of Ms Katherine Anne Holloman ("Ms Holloman") affirmed 3 July 2017 and filed by the Applicants on 4 July 2017 deposing to the process undertaken by the Applicants to authorise the agreement reached. The affidavit annexes: (i) the notice of nomination of Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 7837) ("YAC") to be the prescribed body corporate for the Determination pursuant to s 56(2)(a) of the NT Act; (ii) the written consent of YAC to be the prescribed body corporate for the Determination pursuant to s 56(2)(a)(ii) of the NT Act; and (iii) the certificate of registration of YAC as a corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 as issued by the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations. 18 Schedule One of the Determination provides a written description of the Determination Area which is also depicted on the maps at Schedule Two of the Determination. The parties agree that native title should be recognised in relation to the Determination Area, except in those parts identified in Schedule Four which are shown on the maps in Schedule Two and generally shaded pink. The areas where native title is agreed to exist includes those areas described in Schedule Five of the Determination, to which ss 47A and 47B of the NT Act apply to disregard any prior extinguishment. Paragraph 10 of the Determination outlines the relationship between the native title rights and interests to be determined and the other interests as set out in Schedule Six of the Determination. 19 It is agreed that native title is held by the Yinhawangka People, who are identified in Schedule Seven to the Determination as those persons who: (a) are descended from, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by the Yinhawangka People: (i) Minatangunha; (ii) Jardunha; and (iii) the couple Thurantajinha and Wilga; and (b) identify themselves as Yinhawangka under traditional law and custom and are so identified by other Yinhawangka People as Yinhawangka; and (c) have a connection with the land and waters of the Determination Area, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by the Yinhawangka People.

[64]

ASSESSMENT OF CONNECTION 20 Various materials were provided by the Applicants to the State between November 2011 and July 2013 in support of the claimants' connection to the determination area ("Connection Material"). The Connection Material included: (a) an anthropological report by Dr Lee Sackett, titled Yinhawangka Native Title Claim: Connection Report; relating to the former Innawonga, Gobawarrah Minduarra Yinhawanga and Innawonga Bunjima native title claims, dated October 2010; (b) Genealogies for the descendants of Jardunha, Minatangu-nha and Thurantaji-nha authored by Dr Lee Sackett and Olivia Norris dated November 2011; (c) Yinhawangka Connection DVD, prepared by Carolyn McDonald; and (d) legal submissions in relation to various connection materials. 21 The joint submissions detail that the Connection Material was assessed by the State in accordance with its Guidelines for the Provision of Connection Material, with the State's response being informed by independent expert anthropological advice from Professor Peter Sutton and legal advice from the State Solicitor's Office. 22 On 6 May 2014, a Registrar of the Court convened a confidential settlement conference at various on-country locations in the Determination Area. The conference was attended by 12 members of the Yinhawangka claim group and their representatives, as well as representatives of the State, for the purpose of resolving a number of outstanding connection issues. This conference led to negotiations towards a consent determination of native title commencing in September 2014. 23 During these negotiations, the Applicants provided the State with additional material in support of the existence of exclusive native title rights in relation to areas of significance to Yinhawangka People, as well as the application of ss 47A and 47B of the NT Act. This material included: (a) a report dated 1 June 2016 by YMAC's in-house anthropologist, Jack O'Connor-Veth, titled Yinhawangka Occupation and Exclusive Possession; (b) Witness statements of Roma Butcher dated 7 September 2016 and 22 November 2016; (c) Witness statements of Marlon Cooke dated 7 September 2016 and 7 November 2016; (d) Witness statement of Brendon Cook dated 2 September 2016; (e) Witness statement of June Injie dated 2 September 2016; (f) Witness statement of David Cox dated 13 September 2016; (g) Witness statement of Darren Wade Injie dated 18 November 2016; and (h) Witness statement of Lorraine Injie dated 21 November 2016. 24 The joint submissions outline that the State considers that the Connection Material, together with information obtained from members of the Yinhawangka claim group at the confidential settlement conference, is sufficient to evidence the Yinhawangka People's maintenance of connection according to traditional laws and customs in the Determination Area.

[66]

AUTHORISATION OF each APPLICANT 27 Section 61(1) of the NT Act permits the making of a native title determination application by those persons who are authorised "by all of the persons (the native title claim group) who, according to their traditional laws and customs, hold the common or group rights and interests comprising the particular native title claimed". Section 251B of the NT Act defines the term "authorise" for the purpose of making a native title determination application. 28 The NT Act vests in the persons comprising the applicant the carriage of a native title determination application. Section 62A of the NT Act relevantly provides that in the case of a claimant application, "the applicant may deal with all matters arising under this Act in relation to the application". This includes consenting to a determination of native title rights and interests pursuant to s 87 of the NT Act. 29 An affidavit of Ms Holloman affirmed on 3 July 2017 ("Holloman Affidavit") deposes to the process by which the claimants considered and authorised the Determination. The affidavit deposes that notices advising of the authorisation meeting to be held on 8 November 2016 were sent by post to all Yinhawangka people whose current postal addresses were recorded in a YMAC database of contact details for the members of the Yinhawangka claim group. Electronic copies of the notice were also provided to YMAC offices in Tom Price and South Hedland for display, and to the YAC in Paraburdoo for distribution and display. 30 Ms Holloman also deposes that attendance at the 8 November 2016 authorisation meeting was consistent with attendance at previous meetings of the Yinhawangka claimants, and that those Yinhawangka people who attended were broadly representative of the Yinhawangka claim group, including elders and descendants of each of the apical ancestors described in Schedule A to the Yinhawangka Applications and Schedule Seven to the Determination. 31 Ms Holloman also deposes that at the 8 November 2016 authorisation meeting, the Yinhawangka claimants agreed to and adopted a decision-making process for entering into the Determination, which incorporated traditional decision-making principles, including by making decisions by consensus (which does not necessarily require that decisions are made unanimously) at a properly notified meeting, taking into consideration any recommendations of the Yinhawangka Working Group (an advisory committee to the Yinhawangka Applicants and the claimants), and after consulting with elders. At the authorisation meeting, the Yinhawangka claimants resolved, in accordance with the agreed and adopted decision-making process, to authorise the terms of the Determination, and to authorise, direct and instruct YMAC to do all things reasonable and necessary to finalise the Determination. 32 The joint submissions outline that, on the basis of the evidence provided in the Holloman Affidavit, the Applicants assert that they are authorised to consent to the Determination.

[67]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED NATIVE TITLE HOLDERS 33 An issue identified in the Holloman Affidavit is that the description of the native title holders in Schedule Seven of the Determination differs from the description of the native title claim group in Schedule A to both of the Yinhawangka Applications. 34 Schedule A to both of the Yinhawangka Applications states that the persons who comprise the Yinhawangka People's native title claim group are those persons who are the descendants of the listed Yinhawangka apical ancestors, being: (a) Minatangunha; (b) Jardhunha; and (c) Thurantajinha and Wilga. 35 Ms Holloman deposes that during the course of negotiations, the Applicant and the State agreed that the description of the native title holders set out in Schedule Seven to the Determination more accurately reflects the position as described in the Connection Materials and captures all of the native title holders. 36 Ms Holloman deposes that the identified apical ancestors in both of the Yinhawangka Applications and the Determination are the same. The description differs in that the Determination adds additional qualifiers, requiring a person to "identify" him or herself as a Yinhawangka person under traditional law and custom and to be so identified by Yinhawangka people, and also to have a connection with the land and waters of the Determination Area in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by the Yinhawangka people. In the affidavit, Ms Holloman states that these additional qualifiers provide a "more accurate" way of describing the proposed native title holders, are consistent with the traditional laws and customs of the Yinhawangka People, and are consistent with the anthropological evidence outlined in the Connection Material. 37 The Holloman Affidavit also attests to the process by which the Determination was authorised by the Yinhawangka People, as outlined above. 38 The Court is not limited to making a determination in the form sought in the Yinhawangka Applications. Provided the application is valid and in accordance with the law, the Court can proceed to make a determination in such a form as it sees fit based upon the evidence before it: Patch v Western Australia [2008] FCA 944 at [18] (French J); Sharpe v Western Australia [2013] FCA 599 at [19] (Gilmour J). 39 Having considered the material, for the following reasons I consider it appropriate for the Court to make the determination in the form sought in the Minute: (a) the description accurately reflects the position as described in the Connection Material; (b) the description captures all proposed native title holders; (c) the claimant groups are aware of the proposed Determination and have authorised the terms of the Minute at an authorisation meeting which was sufficiently notified and representative of the Yinhawangka People; and (d) the parties have agreed that the proposed native title holders are the persons described in Schedule Seven to the Determination.

[68]

SECTION 87 OF THE NATIVE TITLE ACT 40 The joint submissions seek that a determination of native title should be made pursuant to s 87 of the NT Act. Section 87 of the NT Act provides, in effect, that the Court may make a determination of native title by consent over an area covered by a native title application without holding a hearing where: (a) the period specified in the notice given under s 66 of the NT Act has ended and an agreement has been reached regarding the proceeding or part of the proceeding (s 87(1)(a)); (b) the terms of an agreement, in writing signed by or on behalf of the parties, are filed with the Court (s 87(1)(b)); (c) the Court is satisfied that an order in, or consistent with, those terms would be within the power of the Court (s 87(1)(c)); and (d) it appears appropriate to the Court to make the orders sought (s 87(1A) and s 87(2)). 41 Pursuant to s 87(1) of the NT Act, for each of the Yinhawangka Applications, the notification period referred to in ss 66(8) and 66(10)(c) of the NT Act has ended. The notification period for the Yinhawangka Part A Application ended on 23 May 2011 and the notification period for the Yinhawangka Part B Application ended on 2 February 2011. 42 The requirements of s 87(1)(a) and (b) are established. There is an agreement in writing for a proposed determination of native title which has been filed with the Court. The agreement is reflected in the Minute which has been signed by (or on behalf of) all parties to both proceedings. 43 In accordance with s 87(1)(c) of the NT Act, the orders sought in the Minute are consistent with the terms of the agreement and are within the power of the Court to make for the following reasons: (a) the Yinhawangka Applications are validly made, having been authorised by the native title claim groups according to a decision-making process agreed to and adopted by the claim group members that authorised the Applicant for each of the Yinhawangka Applications to bring the application; (b) the Yinhawangka Applications are each for a determination of native title in relation to areas of land and waters for which there is no approved determination of native title (s 13(1)(a) NT Act) and there remains no approved determination in relation to the area the subject of the proposed determination (ss 61A(1) and s 68 of the NT Act); (c) there are no other proceedings before the Court relating to native title determination applications that cover any part of the area the subject of the proposed determination which would otherwise require orders to be made under s 67(1) of the NT Act; (d) the form of the Determination proposed, as outlined in the Minute, complies with ss 94A and 225 of the NT Act; and (e) the requirements of s 87 of the NT Act are otherwise satisfied. 44 Section 87(1A) of the NT Act requires the Court to be satisfied that it is appropriate to make the determination sought by the parties. This is a discretion that must be exercised judicially and within the broad boundaries ascertained by reference to the subject matter, scope and purpose of the NT Act: Brown v Western Australia [2007] FCA 1025 at [22] (Bennett J). 45 As the terms of s 87(2) of the NT Act suggest, this does not necessarily require the Court to receive evidence, make findings, or embark on its own inquiry on the merits of the claim made in the application. Rather, the focus of the Court is upon determining whether there is an agreement between the parties and whether that agreement was freely entered into on an informed basis: Hughes v Western Australia [2007] FCA 365 at [9] (Bennett J). As observed by North J in Ward v Western Australia [2006] FCA 1848 at [8]: The Act makes mediation the primary means of resolution of native title cases. It is designed to encourage parties to take responsibility for resolution of proceedings without the need for litigation. Section 87 must be construed in this context. The section provides a power which is exercisable only when an agreement has been made. The power must be exercised flexibly and with regard to the purpose for which the section is designed. The section should not be construed to require parties in agreement to produce evidence as if in a trial … 46 The requirements of s 87(2) of the NT Act will likely be met where the Court is satisfied that a relevant government respondent - such as the State - has, through competent legal representation, satisfied itself as to the cogency of the evidence upon which an applicant relies. Generally this will not involve the Court making findings on the evidence on which the government respondent relies, but it might consider that evidence for the limited purpose of being satisfied that the government respondent is acting in good faith and rationally: Lovett v Victoria [2007] FCA 474 at [37] (North J); Munn v Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109 at [29]-[30] (Emmett J). 47 The joint submissions outline that the State has played an active role in the negotiation of the proposed consent determination contained in the Minute and it is apparent that the State has taken a real interest in the proceeding in the interests of the community generally: Watson v Western Australia (No 3) [2014] FCA 127 at [54] (Gilmour J); Munn at [29]. In so doing, the State has, acting on behalf of the community generally, had regard to the requirements of the NT Act. Through a rigorous and detailed assessment process, and after a period of negotiations, the State, acting in its capacity as parens patriae to look after the interests of the community generally, has satisfied itself that the Determination is justified in all the circumstances. 48 The Connection Material, together with information obtained from the Yinhawangka people at the May 2014 confidential settlement conference is, in the view of the State, sufficient to demonstrate that the Yinhawangka Applications have a credible basis. The State is satisfied that the material presented by the Applicants was sufficient to evidence the maintenance of connection according to traditional laws and customs in the Determination Area. 49 The State has also conducted searches of land tenure, mining and petroleum registries to determine the extent of "other interests" within the Determination Area, and the Determination includes those other interests at Schedule Six such that the Determination complies with s 225 of the NT Act. 50 By signing the Minute, the parties to the proceeding have indicated their agreement. The Applicants and the State have been legally represented throughout the negotiation process. All other respondent parties have also had the benefit of legal representation. 51 In all the circumstances, I am satisfied that it would be appropriate and within the Court's power to make orders under ss 87 and 94A of the NT Act. The effect of the orders I will make is that the native title claim group for both Yinhawangka Applications, being the Yinhawangka People, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional custom observed by them, are to be recognised as the native title holders for the Determination Area.

At a glance

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Judgment (70 paragraphs)

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Legislation Cited (15)

Cases Cited (8)