Native Title

On 30^th April 2019, after a 25-year battle, the Federal Court delivered the historic announcement of the Consent Determination at a fabulous ceremony at Brunswick Heads for Arakwal people, which for the first time acknowledges the native title rights of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay. More than 300 people from across the Bundjalung nation gathered at Toorakina Reserve to support and celebrate this historic event.

We retain a strong connection to our country, actively caring for and reconnecting our people to this place.

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Consent Determination Celebration

Our Native Title Consent Determination by the Federal Court was held at Brunswick Heads on 30 April 2019. What a magical and emotional celebration for everyone. Firstly, thank you to the Applicants for your tireless efforts in your On-Country court evidence hearings and the input that you made for the benefit of your people.

Many attended this historic event and the OEH Chief Executive Officer Anthony Lean spoke on behalf of the State Government, Executive Director Robert Quirk and Directors Russell Maddeley and Angie Stringer. Byron Shire Council Deputy Mayor Michael Lyon and Cr. Sarah Ndiaye attended, and Sarah spoke on behalf of the BSC. General Manager Mark Arnold and staff from BSC, staff from National Parks and Wildlife Service and Marine Parks and David Cullen from Oakstand all attended along with many Bundjalung people.

Native Title Claim Area

“I found it an incredibly emotional and moving experience, which is nothing compared to what it must have meant to our Arakwal staff and their community, including the amazing Dulcie.”
Anthony Lean

“It was a wonderful experience as always, it is all of you that have done so much to get us to this point. My sincere thanks and acknowledgement of the effort you have made through this long journey. It is great to see the Arakwal re-energised and looking towards a strengthened and brighter future on their country”
Robert Quirk

“It is a nice, very good feeling to have it grow and be finalised. Twenty-five years is a long time.”
Aunty Dulcie

“This is not a determination of rights. This is a recognition that those rights have always been there.”
Justice Robertson

Highlights

Our native title claim for areas of land and sea around Byron Bay in northern New South Wales has finally been approved over two decades since it was first lodged with the Federal Court.
It took 20-odd years after it was lodged.
It provides the legal recognition of the pre-existing rights of the Traditional Owners.
The determination is non-exclusive, meaning the status quo will be maintained in the area.
The claim area covers land from Broken Head to Brunswick Heads, including Australia’s most easterly point at Cape Byron and the hinterland towns of Bangalow and Mullumbimby.
It also covers a portion of sea country off the Tyagarah Nature Reserve, between Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay.
It is only the second time in New South Wales that native title sea rights have been recognised, and is the first positive determination in an area of New South Wales with a dense population.

Timeline Brochure

Download this beautiful brochure and find out about the
timeline of the Bunjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal People

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Our mob

The Bundjalung of Byron Bay – Arakwal Bumberlin people, have lived in the coastal landscape around the Byron Bay area for thousands of years. We are the Native Title Holders and recognised Traditional Custodians of Byron Bay. Arakwal Country extends from Jew Point, south of Broken Head to the Brunswick River up north, west to Mullumbimby, Bangalow and Newrybar and includes a portion of sea country off the Tyagarah Nature Reserve, north of Byron Bay.

The Byron Bay Arakwal people are part of the wider Bundjalung nation and their history predates the arrival of non-Aboriginal people in the Byron Bay area. Ancestors, Bobby and Alice, Harry and Clara Bray, Linda and Jimmy Kay, have passed on their traditions and cultural practices that are alive in many of our descendants today.