Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi Native Title a welcome decision

Balonne Shire Council enthusiastically welcomes the Native Title Consent Determination for the local Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi people, handed down by the Federal Court at Dirranbandi this week.

The Native Title Consent Determination covers a large area from the Queensland border, around the Hebel and Dirranbandi districts, extending north almost to the township of St George.

Traditional lands of the Yuwaalaraay and Euahlayi people stretch from the Balonne Shire through to North West New South Wales - around Goodooga, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri, Walgett and the Narran Lakes.

Balonne Shire Deputy Mayor Richard Lomman attended the hearing at Dirranbandi as a representative for Council.

“I was so pleased to see the Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi people’s euphoria as the decision was handed down on this historic day. We know having Native Title over Country is incredibly meaningful to traditional owners,” he said.

“This outcome has been many years in the making, with the Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi Aboriginal Corporation putting in an enormous amount of work to get here.

“Thank you to everyone involved for including Council in this process. I look forward to fostering a positive relationship between Council and the Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi people.”

Balonne Shire Council CEO Matthew Magin said Council will actively collaborate with the Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi people on projects in the region.

“We are very much looking forward to working with the Yuwaalaraay Euahlayi Aboriginal Corporation to put an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) in place,” he said.

“Having the formal Native Title Determination is an excellent first step. From here, our two groups will be able to collaborate on the ILUA and many more Council projects in the future.”