Barengi Gadjin Land Council is the trustee for the Native Title rights and interest of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergai and Japagulk peoples, collectively known as the Wotjobaluk peoples as recognised in the Consent Determination on 13 December 2005.

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The Determination recognised non-exclusive Native Title rights to hunt, fish, gather and camp within an area known as Determination Area A being roughly described as the Wimmera River from the head of the Yarriambiack Creek through to Outlet Creek at the norther end of Lake Albacutya and including Lake Hindmarsh (Gurru) and Albacutya (Ngalpakatia/Ngelpagutya).

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BGLC and the Wotjobaluk people entered into an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Victorian and Federal Government this was registered in November 2005.

 

The ILUA ensures that the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk peoples will continue to have a say about certain types of developments in the area where their native title rights have been recognised.

 

The ILUA acts as an umbrella agreement for several other related agreements that form part of the settlement package between the native title claimants and the Victorian Government but which are not part of the consent determination. These related agreements provide for a range of other measures, including:

 

■ recognition of the close cultural ties of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk peoples to an area of their traditional country that is significantly larger than the area where their native title rights were recognised (i.e. it takes in part of Area B)

 

■ establishment of a consultation process under which the Victorian Government must seek the input of the BGLCAC about certain types of developments in this larger area

 

■ signage recognising the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk peoples as the traditional owners of this larger area

 

■ streamlined processes for the approval of licences and permits to the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk peoples to hunt, fish, gather and conduct cultural events in this larger area

 

■ active involvement of the native title holders in the co-operative management of certain lands (chiefly national parks and wilderness areas)

 

■ the grant of freehold title to three parcels of land (15.7 hectares in total) over which the native title holders have demonstrated a strong cultural and historical connection (including land near the former Ebenezer Mission site) and

 

■ funding to support the operations of the BGLCAC (this funding will assist in the administrative expenses of running the land council and also includes capital funding for the establishment of an administrative/cultural centre and improvements to freehold lands granted).

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Please see below for copies of the Maps.