Smirke on behalf of the Jurruru People v State of Western Australia [2018] FCA 2079

Date: 20 December 2018
Sub Category:Consent Determination (Native Title Act)
Place:

South West Pilbara

State/Country:Western Australia, Australia
The determination area is located in Western Australia and includes two separate areas highlighted in yellow on the map. For a detailed description of the area and maps see Schedule 2 of the determination, attached below under documents. The area is within the jurisdiction of the Shires of Ashburton and Upper Gascoyne.
Legal Status: Registered on the National Native Title Tribunal on the Native Title Register 20/12/2018.
Legal Reference: Federal Court file no.: WAD62/2016; National Native Tribunal file no.: WCD2018/018
Alternative Names:
  • Jurruru People #3
  • Subject Matter:Native Title
    URL: http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2018/2079.html?context=1;query=jurruru;mask_path=
    Summary Information:

    Between: Ian Smirke, Brenda Smirke, Nathaniel Tommy and Kelly Limerick (Applicant) and State of Western Australia, Peter Robert Gray, Susan Jean Grey and Stamco Beef Pty Ltd (Respondents)

    Judge: Banks-Smith J

    Determination

    Native title exists in parts of the determination area

    It consists of exclusive and non-exclusive native title rights and interests. 

    Native title holders

    Native title is held by the Jurruru People.

    Exclusive native title rights and interests over part of the determination area

    This is the right to possession, occupation, use, and enjoyment of the area described in Schedule 2, to the exclusion of all others.

    Non-exclusive native title rights and interests over part of the determination area

    These rights exist over the area and include the right to: 

    • enter and remain on the land, camp, erect temporary shelters, and travel over and visit any part of the land and waters of the determination area;
    • hunt, fish, gather, take and use the traditional resources of the land;
    • take and use water;
    • engage in cultural activities on the determination area, including: visiting places of cultural or spiritual importance and maintaining, caring for, and protecting those places by carrying out activities to preserve their physical or spiritual integrity; and conducting ceremony and ritual; and
    • be accompanied by those people who, though not Jurruru people, are: spouses, parents or descendants of one or more Jurruru person; or people required by traditional law and custom for the performance of ceremonies or cultural activities on the determination area.

    Other rights and interests in the determination area are described in Schedule 4 and include those in relation to:

    • Pastoral Leases: Wyloo (PL N050360), Glenflorrie (PL N050594), Kooline (PL N049418), Ullawarra (PL N049994);
    • Mining Tenements pursuant to the Mining Act 1904 (WA) (repealed) and the Mining Act 1978 (WA): Mining Leases (M 0800191, M 0800192, M 0800193), Exploration Licenses (E 0802754, E 0802848, E 0802904, E 0802897, E 0802945);
    • Access to Mining Areas: the rights of the holders of a mining tenement can use such portions of existing roads and tracks in the determination area as necessary for their purposes (while leaving the roads in substantially the same condition as prior to use); and
    • Other: rights and interests granted by the Crown; rights and interests held by reason of the force and operation of the laws of the State or Commonwealth; rights and interests of members of the public arising under common law (including rights to fish, navigate and use and enjoy any roads); right to access the determination area as required to perform statutory or common law duties; any existing public access to waterways, beds and banks or foreshores of waterways, coastal waters, beaches, stock routes and areas that were public places at the end of 31 December 1993; and any other legal or equitable estate or interest or general right.

    In the case of conflict, the exercise of non-native title rights and interests will prevail over the non-exclusive native title

    The Jurruru Aboriginal Corporation Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) is the prescribed body corporate. It performs the functions required under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and holds the native title in trust for the Jurruru People.

    Full text of the determination is available via the URL link above.

    Detailed Information:

    Background

    The Jurruru #3 application was filed with the Federal Court on 4 February 2016, pursuant to s 61 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

    The application related to a determination area consisting of two discrete areas of land totaling around 466 square kilometers. The determination area shares boundaries with other recognised native title claimants. The eastern boundary shares a border with the Combined Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli determination area. The northern part of the determination area contains various pastoral stations and boarders the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People determination area. Finally, the southern part of the determination area borders the Wajarri Yamatji #1 determination area.

    The Jurruru #3 application was made on behalf of the same native title claim group as those in the case Smirke on behalf of the Jurruru People v State of Western Australia [2015] FCA 939 a few years prior.

    Following the 2015 determination, Ivan Smirke emphasised that the court's decision was a display of 'recognition, respect and acknowledgement of the wider Australian community and its leaders of our nation that the laws, culture and heritage of our ancestors still exist' (Shepherd, 2015).

    Details of Judgment

    The parties reached agreement as to the terms of the determination of native title pursuant to s 87 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). The court was satisfied that a determination of native title was within the power of the court.

    Outcomes:
    Native Title exists in part of the determination area.

    Related Entries

  • Jurruru #3 and Kooline Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA)
  • Smirke on behalf of the Jurruru People v State of Western Australia [2015] FCA 939
  • Organisation
  • State of Western Australia - Respondent
  • Stamco Beef Pty Ltd - Respondent
  • National Native Title Tribunal
  • Jurruru Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
  • Shire of Ashburton
  • Upper Gascoyne Shire
  • Yamtji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation
  • Legislation
  • Mining Act 1904 (WA)
  • Mining Act 1978 (WA)
  • Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (WA)
  • Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)
  • Native Title Amendment Act 1998 (Cth)
  • People
  • Jurruru People - Native Title Claimant
  • Ivan Smirke and others on behalf of the Jurruru People - Native Title Applicant
  • Peter Robert Grey and Susan Jean Grey - Respondent

  • References

    General Reference
    Briana Shepherd (02/09/2015) Jurruru traditional owners celebrate native title determination after 15-year wait

    Glossary

    Native Title (Australia) | National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) (Australia) | Native Title Registers | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Australia) | Applicant | Respondent | Aboriginal Corporation (Australia) | Native Title Applicants | Native Title Holders (Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)) (Australia) | Native Title Representative Body (NTRB) (Australia) | Consent Determination (Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)) (Australia) | Native Title Determination (Australia) | Native Title Applications/Claims (Australia) | State Government