More native title rights awarded for Cape

The native title rights and interests of the Wuthathi People have been recognised over more traditional lands on Cape York Peninsula.

 State Development Minister and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the Federal Court of Australia today handed down another Native Title Consent Determination in Cairns recognising the Wuthathi People’s enduring connection to their land.

 Today’s determination covers about 118,210 hectares of land and waters on the remote far north eastern side of Cape York Peninsula, adjacent to Shelburne Bay north of Lockhart River. It follows a determination yesterday, which also included the Wuthathi People.

 “Wuthathi People were among the first Indigenous people to have contact with Europeans,” Dr Lynham said.

 “In 1770 they signalled to Captain James Cook as the Endeavour sailed through a passage very close to the mainland at Cape Grenville.”

 ENDS

29 April 2015

 Media contact:            Jan Martin     3719 7370