!!!January 25, 2024
Locally owned and independent
The Northern Rivers Times
NEWS
7
Diary of a Flood Survivor
Notice under section 47C(6)(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 – national park estate covered by a proposed agreement under s47C
Hubby and I are about to embark on something we haven’t done in a few years. We are about to go on holidays for two lovely, long, luxurious weeks. This week we celebrate 25 years of marriage and we wanted to do something more than just a weekend away or a dinner out. So, because hubby gets frustrated that every place we seem to go, I’ve already been (the result of my action packed twenties where travel was a priority), we picked a place I have yet to visit, and a mode of transport we have both
enjoyed in our distant past. We are going on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth. Then we will spend a couple of days in Perth itself before hiring a campervan and exploring further afield. It seems something of an irony that we have spent the last two years getting our house back, and now want to hire something smaller than our bathroom to live in for two weeks. That includes both the carriage on the train and the campervan. Truth is, now that we are empty-nesters, my
travelling spark has come back and hiring the campervan will give us an idea whether or not we are worthy of the grey nomad title. (Well hubby is, I still have colour in my hair for the most part). It could just be a shortcut to the divorce court, but you’d think after 25 years and everything we’ve experienced together, living in such tight quarters for two weeks should be a walk in the park. I’m sure I will have much to relate when I get back in two weeks’ time. Little steps.
FINAL CALL FOR FEEDBACK TO BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION LOCAL businesses, community groups and individuals in the Lismore Electorate can help curb plastic pollution by having their say on the ‘NSW Plastics: Next Steps’ paper before public consultation closes in a fortnight. Over the past 12 weeks, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) discussion paper has reached more than four million people across the state through mailouts and newsletters and thousands more online. To date, more than 3,300 individuals have provided feedback through surveys and formal submissions. The paper proposes further action to reduce problematic or unnecessary plastics, aiming to prevent 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced each year from causing harm to the environment and human health. It identifies and addresses items and materials that: • Are frequently
littered or release microplastics into the environment; • Contain harmful chemical additives; or • Are regulated or proposed to be in other states and territories. • Plastic products like lollipop sticks, cigarette butt filters and highly littered takeaway food packaging are some of the items that could be redesigned or phased out. The EPA will prepare a consultation report to inform the public of the results. To comment on ‘NSW Plastics: Next Steps’ by Sunday, 4 February 2024, visit https://yoursay.epa. nsw.gov.au. Quotes attributable to State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin: “In our Electorate of Lismore, we want to see further protections put in place to safeguard
the environment and human health for future generations. “Your thoughts and ideas on what to do next are crucial to creating meaningful change, so I urge all community members, businesses and organisations to take a moment to share your insights for a cleaner and greener tomorrow.” Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe: “Plastic packaging and single-use plastic items make up 60 per cent of all litter in NSW. By 2050, there may be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans, and that’s why we’re seeking your views on further measures to tackle this crisis. “Thank you to every individual, business and organisation who has given feedback to date, and I hope many more will have their say to make a lasting difference for our environment.”
Description of the nature of the proposed agreement The Attorney General, as state minister responsible for native title in New South Wales, is proposing, at least 3 months from the date of this notice, to enter into an agreement under section 47C of the Native Title Act 1993 (Commonwealth) (the proposed agreement) with the Widjabul Wia-bal. The Widjabul Wia-bal will file a further native title determination application in the Federal Court over the parks and reserves comprising the proposed agreement area, seeking a determination that native title exists within the proposed agreement area. If the proposed agreement under section 47C is entered into and the Federal Court makes a determination of native title, any historical extinguishment of native title will be disregarded in the proposed agreement area.
Description of the proposed agreement area The proposed agreement area will cover parts of the national park estate in northern New South Wales within Widjabul Wia-bal Country, where native title has been historically extinguished, including areas subject to public works, in Boatharbour Nature Reserve, Tuckean Nature Reserve, Muckleewee Mountain Nature Reserve, Goonengerry National Park, Victoria Park Nature Reserve, Mount Jerusalem National Park, Nightcap National Park, Davis Scrub Nature Reserve, Snows Gully Nature Reserve, Tucki Tucki Nature Reserve, Andrew Johnson Big Scrub Nature Reserve and Whian Whian State Conservation Area (the proposed agreement area).
Description of the effect of the proposed agreement Under the proposed agreement, the National Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to operate and manage the national park estate. If made, the determination of native title will not affect public access or any existing valid interests (such as leases or licences) in relation to the proposed agreement area. It will also not affect the continued reservation of the national parks estate or access to, or operation of, public works in the park estate.
How to obtain further information about the proposed agreement Further information is available at environment.nsw.gov.au/ topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/ community-engagement/notices-under-the-native-title-act/ widjabul-wia-bal-people-notice-under-the-native-title-act. This includes a map showing the location of the proposed agreement area and list of the specific land parcels in the national park estate in the proposed agreement area.
How to comment on the proposed agreement Any interested people may comment on the proposed agreement until the 17 April 2024. Comments should be in writing and either: • made through the online comments form at environment.nsw.gov.au/ topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/ community-engagement/notices-under-the-native-title-act/ widjabul-wia-bal-people-notice-under-the-native-title-act • by email to: nativetitle.s47C@environment.nsw.gov.au; or • by mail: National Parks and Wildlife Service, Attn:Area Manager, NPWS Richmond River Area office, PO Box 856, Alstonville NSW 2477.
SB1272
Picture courtesy ChasingtheUnkown.com
In accordance with section 47C(6)(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Commonwealth), this notice is given of the intention to enter into an agreement covering land within parks and reserves in northern New South Wales, located to the south-west of Ballina and to the north-west of Byron Bay. The proposed agreement would enable the Federal Court to disregard prior extinguishment of native title within the proposed agreement area. This notice is to give any interested people an opportunity to comment on the proposed agreement.
