Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Historic native title determination recognises commercial rights in a first for Central Australia

Work began on the claim in 2016 to protect the Karinga Lakes area. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)

A native title determination recognising commercial rights for the first time in Central Australia has been settled, seven years after the claims process began.

In the remote community of Imanpa, south-west of Alice Springs, 15 First Nations family groups and pastoralists from the Karinga Lakes region gathered for the historic Federal Court ruling.

The determination covers more than 10,000 square kilometres of pastoral lease land, including Erldunda, Lyndavale and Curtin Springs stations.

Caroline Coombs said the Anangu people had been caring for the area for tens of thousands of years.

"It's important to all of us because we're connected to the country," said Caroline Coombs.

"We have our cultural ancestors' dreaming there, and it's important to look after country and lakes."

Karinga Lakes stretches across more than 10,000 square kilometres of land. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)

Justice Mordy Bromberg handed down the determination in favour of the applicants, granting the Anangu people the right to hunt and perform ceremonies on the land, as well as to be consulted over its use.

More than 150 people from 15 family groups gathered for the determination. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin. )

Goodwill between pastoralists and Anangu people

After several years of anthropological and legal research, a claim was lodged on behalf of the 15 family groups in 2020.

For Alan Wilson, the determination was an important acknowledgement of the strong relations with the surrounding pastoralists.

"I started working at Curtin Springs when I was just a boy," he said. "I worked with [Ashley Severin's] father; I worked all my life.

"They taught me everything … the cattle, breaking in horses, everything. His father taught me properly."

Alan Wilson shares stories about the salt lakes with Justice Mordy Bromberg. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)

However, while the Anangu native title holders have welcomed the opportunity to negotiate commercial agreements on the lands, some are disappointed over the ruling's limitations.

Licences for potash mining are held over the lakes, with native title holders and pastoralists unable to overrule further exploration work on the land.

Bittersweet victory

Tanya Luckey said dealing with mining companies drilling and excavating the land had made life "a struggle".

"This determination doesn't really back us up properly," she said.

The determination ensures future generations have the right to hunt and perform ceremonies on the vast lands. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)

"We'd like to be recognised as the traditional owners of the land.

"Anything that happens to the land — work with us, together."

For generations, the pastoralists have been living and working with the Anangnu people on the vast stations.

At the determination, there were heartfelt displays of goodwill between the different families.

Formalising the relationship

Ross Stanes — whose family has leased Lyndavale Station for over 100 years — said the ruling "formalised what already exists".

There were heartfelt displays of goodwill between pastoralists and Anangu people. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)

"It helps clear up any ambiguity and will, hopefully, strengthen the relationship between us and the Anangu people," he said.

"My father grew up with a lot of the people who were named today as [Native Title holders], and we've had a long, long relationship with them.

"We, as pastoralists, have to respect Native Title rights, and I think those in the community and those traditional owners respect our rights to conduct pastoral activities."

Mr Stanes acknowledged that mining could be important for the economy, but said areas of cultural and ecological significance should be left alone.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.