Minister welcomes native title decision

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has welcomed an historic native title decision over claims to the Dampier Peninsula.

The Federal Court handed down a determination which recognised the Nyul Nyul, Nimanburr and Jabirr Jabirr Ngumbarl people as the native title holders of about 12,050sqkm of the Dampier Peninsula, in the Kimberley.

Mr Wyatt congratulated the achievement and said he noted the “steady increase in the number of native title consent determinations in WA.”

“This determination means that the certainty of native title rights in the whole of the Dampier Peninsula will assist the economic development future of this region,” he said.

“This decision will provide an environment for sound investment and help the local economy in areas such as ecotourism and aquaculture.”

Hundreds gathered in Beagle Bay yesterday, 120km north of Broome, for the determination ceremony, delivered by Federal Court Judge Anthony North.