West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney-General (NSW) [2021] FCA 1116

Federal Court of Australia

West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney-General (NSW) [2021] FCA 1116 File number(s): NSD 923 of 2020

Judgment of: STEWART J

Date of judgment: 13 September 2021

Date of publication of reasons: 14 September 2021

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – non-claimant application under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) – where Local Aboriginal Land Council applicant prevented from dealing with the land by the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) absent a determination of no native title despite title in fee simple – where local Elders gave evidence that land is not of cultural significance and that a claimant application would be unlikely – where application not opposed by relevant State Minister or native title representative body – determination of no native title

Legislation: Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 13, 61(1), 66, 68, 83, 84(4), 86G, 223(1)(b), 253 Native Title (Notices) Determination 2011 (No 1) (Cth) s 6 Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) ss 36, 40, 42

Cases cited: Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney-General of New South Wales [2018] FCA 1136 Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney General of New South Wales [2013] FCA 646 Mace v State of Queensland [2019] FCAFC 233; 274 FCR 41 Munn v Queensland [2001] FCA 1229; 115 FCR 109 Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney-General of New South Wales [2012] FCA 1484 Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney General of New South Wales [2020] FCA 1113 West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council v Attorney-General of New South Wales [2018] FCA 1194 Worimi v Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council [2010] FCAFC 3; 181 FCR 320