Jabiru Native Title Determination

The Federal Court of Australia held a special on-country hearing to recognise the native title rights and interests of the Mirarr People over areas of the Jabiru Township on Friday, 9 November at Lake Jabiru.
Five senior Mirarr women who have been central to this claim were presented with hard copies of the determination: Yvonne Margarula, Nida Mangarnbarr, Annie Ngalmirama, May Nango and Ruth Gamarrawu. Yvonne Margarula is acknowledged as the senior Traditional Owner of the Jabiru Township area and leader of the Mirarr People, a legacy she carries on from her late father.  
NLC CEO Joe Morrison said, “This claim is one part of the bigger struggle by the Mirarr people for recognition of ownership and control of their land within the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park.” 
“The Mirarr, led by Yvonne Margarula, and before that her late father, have long fought for better protection of their country and this native title determination helps secure for all time important protection and recognition of the Mirarr People’s rights and interests under Australian law,” he said.  
The Mirarr estate extends beyond Jabiru to include the areas currently affected by the Ranger uranium mine and the Jabiluka mineral lease.  
“We support Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation’s plans for the future of Jabiru and the rehabilitation of the uranium mining areas, ensuring Traditional Owners have control and an economic stake in the future of their traditional lands,” said Mr Morrison.  
The application for native title over Jabiru Township and its immediate surrounds (around 13 square kilometres in size) was first filed with the Federal Court in 1998 on behalf of the Mirarr people.  
The day’s determination gives effect to Justice Mansfield’s judgement on 24 August 2016 that the Mirarr hold native title rights over Jabiru Township. 
Justice Mansfield’s hearing of the claim began in 2013 into whether any executive or legislative acts since European settlement had extinguished native title in the area. 
Negotiations on the final terms have now been finalised and celebrated.