Few in big cities know about the "mound springs", but they are of deep cultural significance for the Arabana people who hold native title over Lake Eyre and its surrounds. They are also a precious source of life for humans, animals and plants in a hostile environment.
Arabana Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
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Native title does not exist
Native title exists (exclusive)
Native title exists (non-exclusive)
Native title extinguished
ILUA registered
ILUA in notification
ILUA notification ended
ILUA subject to objection (not withdrawn) and/or adverse material
Future Act notices current
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The Arabana Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC administers land and waters on behalf of the Arabana People. The Arabana People’s ownership was recognised in the Dodd v State of South Australia determination. The Consent Determination concerned the Native Title Determination Application filed by the applicants on 16 January 1998. The Consent Determination recognises native title rights and interests over an area located in the central north of South Australia, covering approximately 68, 823 square kilometres. The area encompasses Marree in the southeast, Oodnadatta in the northwest, and Lake Eyre and the Wabma Kadarbu Monnd Springs Conservation Park.
The nature and extent of the native title rights and interests existing in the balance of the determination area are as follows:
- to access and move about the Determination Area;
- to live, to camp and, for the purpose of exercising their native title rights and interests, to erect shelters and other structures on the Determination Area;
- to hunt and fish;
- to gather and use the natural resources of the Determination Area such as food, medicinal plants, wild tobacco, timber, resin, ochre and feathers, but excluding those resources which are specifically excluded, referred to below;
- to share and exchange the subsistence and other traditional resources;
- to use the natural water resources of the Determination Area;
- to cook on the Determination Area and to light fires for domestic purposes but not for the clearance of vegetation;
- to engage and participate in cultural activities including those relating to births and deaths;
- to conduct ceremonies and hold meetings;
- to teach the physical and spiritual attributes of locations and sites within the Determination Area;
- to visit, maintain and protect sites and places of cultural and religious significance to Native Title Holders under their traditional laws and customs on the Determination Area
In addition, two ILUAs (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) have purportedly been negotiated as part of the mediation process: Notice of application to register on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements
| Type of RNTBC |
Agent
|
|---|---|
| Contact name |
Bronwyn Dodd
|
| Contact number |
08 8641 1583
|
| Postal address |
48 Flinders Terrace, PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
|
| Office address |
48 Flinders Terrace, PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700
|
| PBC size |
Medium
|
| Region |
SA
|
| Date of incorporation |
|
| Date of registration |
|
| ICN (Indigenous Corporation Number) |
7729
|
| PBC link |
PBC activity feed
After fighting their case for almost 15 years in the courts, the Arabana people have finally won their land back.
The Federal Court has granted the Arabana people native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres in South Australia’s north, including Lake Eyre.
The Federal Court has granted the Arabana people native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres in South Australia's north, including Lake Eyre.
A radio report and transcription about the Arabana determination
Gallery of images from the Arabana determination
Native title rights for the Arabana People in South Australia have today been recognised with a Federal Court hearing, which was delivered on country at Finniss Springs Station, located south of the Oodnadatta Track, around 50km west of Maree.
Determination outcomes
| Name | FC name | Tribunal number | Determined outcome | Area |
|---|