Native title rights granted to North Queensland traditional owners

NORTH Queensland’s Nywaigi people say a federal-court decision to grant them Native Title rights is recognition of their “intimate connection” with the land.

The Federal Court is expected to formally recognise the Nywaigi people’s Native Title rights and interests over almost 40,000ha of land and waters between Rollingstone and Ingham at a hearing on Mungalla Station today.

Senior Nywaigi man and traditional owner Phil Rist said the land and waters had cultural and spiritual significance.