ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

Back to search results

Print this page
Darnley Island - Ergon Energy Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA)
Date:	24 May 2005
Sub Category:	Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) (Native Title Act)
Place:	Torres Strait
	Click this link to search this location with google maps
State/Country:	Queensland, Australia
	Click this link to search this location with google maps
	The ILUA is located on Darnley Island in the Torres Strait. This area is governed by the Erub Island Council and the Torres Strait Regional Authority. The ILUA area covers all the land and waters on Darnley Island up to the high water mark.
Legal Status:	Registered with the National Native Title Tribunal
Legal Reference:	National Native Title Tribunal File No.:QI2004/057
Subject Matter:	Future Act \| \| Land Use \| Native Title \| Recognition of Traditional Rights and Interests
Summary Information:
The Darnley Island - Ergon Energy Indigenous Land Use Agreement (the ILUA) sets out parameters for the operation and maintenance of existing electricity infrastructure in the area of the Erubam Le native title determination. The ILUA also outlines a process for the validation of future works. The agreement is made between electricity providers Ergon Energy Corporation and George Mye on behalf of the Erubam Le native title holders, represented by their native title body corporate (NTBC) Erubam Le Traditional Land and Sea (Torres Strait) Corporation. A determination that native title exists in the area of the Erubam Le native title claim (National Native Title Tribunal file no.: QG6036/98) was also made in May 2005. The Darnley Island - Ergon Energy ILUA is one of five ILUAs signed to allow for the continued provision of electricity services in areas of the Torres Strait where native title has been recognised.
Detailed Information:
Under the ILUA, the parties NTBC and the applicant consent to the use of land that is under or immediately adjacent to Ground Based Electricity Infrastructure (GBEI). The land must be used for Ergon Energy purposes, and must be necessary for the operation of the GBEI. The parties consent to Ergon Energy being granted an interest (either an easement, permit or licence) over the area of the GBEI. The parties consent to the grant of a Trustee lease over the site of the power station, identified as Lease F on lot 4 on TS156 on SP150247.This consent extends to the giving of statutory approvals and consents to the Trustee lease, the registration of the Trustee lease, and activities carried out at the power station site in accordance with the Trustee lease. The NTBC consents to all existing Overhead Electricity Infrastructure (OEI) remaining on the determination area and consents to Ergon Energy having access to the OEI. Maintenance, replacement and ongoing use are also permitted, as is the use of land ten metres either side of the overhead power lines. The parties have been granted an easement, permit or licence for this purpose. Under the agreement, Ergon have unrestricted access through the ILUA area to their infrastructure. Duties that may be carried out include inspecting, operating, changing, maintaining, removing, repairing or replacing infrastructure. The clearing of vegetation that may interfere with infrastructure is also permitted. The ILUA confirms that any future infrastructure falls within the definition of a 'future act' under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (the NTA), which means the acts are invalid. However, the parties consent to future acts involving the operation, use, maintenance and repair of existing electricity infrastructure. The parties agree that the right to negotiate provisions of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) do not apply, as the alternative consultation provisions are to be followed instead.