The State Government and Ngadju native title claimants from the southern Goldfields today signed an agreement for a concerted effort over the next six months to negotiate an out-of-court settlement of the claim.

The ‘Statement of Intent’, signed in Perth by Deputy Premier Eric Ripper and claimant representatives, commits both parties to pursue a settlement. Both parties have agreed not to seek programming of the claim for trial in the Federal Court until the negotiations have ceased.

The Ngadju’s traditional lands extend from about 150kms west of Norseman to Caiguna in the east, an area of approximately 103,000 km².  

The claimants have appointed six Ngadju negotiators to represent them in discussions with the State’s Office of Native Title. The negotiators will be assisted by the Goldfields Land and Sea Council, which played a role in development of the Statement of Intent.  

Ngadju claimant, Les Schultz (Jnr) said the agreement was a great opportunity for finally settling the claim, which has been in the Court since 1995, and for laying down a sustainable base for their future and all others with interests in their homelands.  

“It is important that both our people and State Government seize this opportunity to achieve certainty as to access and rights in the claimed area. The alternative is lengthy and costly court proceedings and on-going uncertainty for development projects, which would be in no-one’s best interests,” Mr Schultz said.

Media Contact:  Brian Wyatt 0417 970413;    David Berry 0417 963089, 9263 8715