QLD

The Kaapay Kuuyun Aboriginal Corporation are the registered native title body corporate and hold native title in trust for the benefit of the Kuuku Ya’u and Uutaalnganu (Night Island) Peoples.  

On 25 November 2021, Mortimer J made a positive native title determination in relation to the Kuuku Ya’u People’s land, which formed part of the greater Cape York #1 United Claim.  

On 6 October 2022, the Federal Court of Australia made two different determinations, both which related to the larger Cape York #1 United claim. The Cape York #1 United claim covers the majority of the area of Cape York, covering various types of tenure, including pastoral lease, protected areas, reserves and areas of unallocated State land. Relevantly though, Mortimer J recognised the rights of the Gudang Yadhaykenu People and nominated the Gudang Yadhaykenu Native Title Aboriginal Corporation to hold native title in trust for the benefit of the native title holders.  

The Ayapathu Aboriginal Corporation holds native title in trust for the Ayapathu people. The Court recognised the Ayapathu people’s native title rights and interests on 6 July 2022. That proceeding formed part of the Cape York United #1 claim. 

The Ayapathu people have, other in relation to water, the exclusive right to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the determination area.

The Guwa-Koa Aboriginal Corporation (GKAC) was established to hold and manage the native title rights and interests of the Koa People. On 6 October 2021, the Koa People were formally recognised as Native Title Holders over about 8,678 square kilometers of their traditional land and waters in Queensland’s north-west region. The native title determination area lies in the upper Diamantina River catchment area and includes the towns of Winton, Kynuna, Corfield and Middleton.