Aboriginal Group in South Australia Granted Native Title Over Lake Eyre

Today (22 May 2012) the Federal Court has ruled to allow unconditional access to 70,000 square kilometres of land, including Lake Eyre, for hunting, camping, fishing and traditional ceremonies.

The ABC reports that the native title claim by the Arabana people was launched in 1998 and covers close to 70,000 square kilometres of land, an area one-and-a-half times the size of Switzerland.

Lawyers involved have indicated that the land use agreement will guarantee a long-term lease over the area and the Native Title Tribunal says "the rights will be non-exclusive but the court's decision has already sparked controversy" with respect to boat access to the Lake. The claim also includes the Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park.

The claim was settled at a special Federal Court hearing today at Finniss Springs Station, about 50 kilometres west of Marree.

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