NOTICE OF IMPORTANT PRE-AUTHORISATION MEETINGS ABOUT A PROPOSED NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION APPLICATION
Proposed Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu & Umpila Sea Claim Group
Monday 2 March 2026, Coen
Tuesday 3 March 2026, Cairns
Thursday 5 March 2026, Lockhart River
This notice is to advise that Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will hold meetings on Monday 2 March 2026 in Coen, Tuesday 3 March 2026 in Cairns and on Thursday 5 March 2026 in Lockhart River for all members of the Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Native Title Groups. The purpose of each of these meetings is to discuss a proposed native title determination application (a native title claim) on behalf of the Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Native Title Groups, jointly as the “Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Sea Claim Group”, over the areas of sea country and islands as depicted on the map below. CYLC will facilitate each of the meetings.
The Pre-Authorisation Meeting in Coen will be held as follows
Date: Monday 2 March 2026
Venue: Wunthulpu Centre, Coen
Time: 12.00pm – 2.00pm (refreshments provided)
The Pre-Authorisation Meeting in Cairns will be held as follows
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026
Venue: Cairns Colonial Club Resort, 18–26 Cannon Street, Cairns
Time: 1.00pm – 3.00pm (refreshments provided)
The Pre-Authorisation Meeting in Lockhart River will be held as follows
Date: Thursday 5 March 2026
Venue: Lockhart River Social Club, Piiramo Street, Lockhart River
Time: 8.30am – 10.30am (refreshments provided)
Purpose of the meetings:
A CYLC lawyer will discuss with the members of the Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Native Title Groups the process for authorising the proposed native title claim over the proposed claim area. Discussion of the authorisation process for the proposed claim will also include discussion about: (1) the external boundaries of the proposed claim area, (2) which members of the Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Native Title Groups should be nominated as members of the Applicant for the proposed native title claim, and so be authorised to make, and to deal with matters arising in relation to the proposed application, and (3) if authorised, the conditions that should be placed on the authority of the members of the Applicant, including conditions to ensure that decisions affecting country are made by the traditional owners that speak for that country. Following the pre-authorisation meetings, there will be a meeting of the Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Native Title Groups on a date to be notified to consider whether to authorise the making of the proposed native title claim for the proposed claim area and those other matters outlined above.
Who is invited to attend the meetings?
Each of the pre-authorisation meetings is open to all members of the Kuuku Ya’u, Uutaalnganu and Umpila Native Title Groups as defined in the respective determinations of native title made by the Federal Court in Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 2) (Kuuku Ya’u determination) [2021] FCA 1464, Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 3) (Uutaalnganu (Night Island) determination) [2021] FCA 1465, and Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 17) (Umpila determination) [2023] FCA 734. Please contact CYLC if you would like to confirm whether you are eligible to attend.
Confirmation of attendance and attendance by video-conference
To confirm attendance, please contact Jasmin Schubert on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email at jschubert@cylc.org.au. Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance. If you have queries about this meeting, please contact Parky Wirrick on 0409 548 569 or pwirrick@cylc.org.au. Video-conferencing facilities will be made available at the meetings. If you would like CYLC to arrange a video-conference from your location into the meetings, whether you live at the location of the meetings or elsewhere, please contact CYLC on the free call number above.
