The Yaegl People are the Traditional Owners of this land. Their connection to Country is strong and enduring, with many places within these reserves holding deep cultural and spiritual significance. This connection has been formally recognised through the Federal Court of Australia, with Native Title determinations for Yaygirr Lands and Waters granted in 2015, and Sea Country recognised in 2017.
The Sea Country determination followed an 18‑year legal journey to have the Yaygirr People’s Native Title rights and interests recognised over their land‑based claim. This landmark decision marked the longest running Native Title dispute before the Federal Court and formally acknowledged the Yaegl People’s traditional rights to this area.
Elders Aunty Della Walker (nee Laurie) and Aunty Joyce Clague played an instrumental role in achieving this recognition, demonstrating strength, leadership, and dedication to protecting Yaegl Country for future generations.
Native Title
YAEGL NATIVE TITLE CONSENT DETERMINATION
CLAIMED AREA
RIVER
LAND
SEA
1,400 Square Kilometers
368 Parcels of land for either transfer to freehold or kept for Co-Management purposes
Yaegl Wadyarr (Country)
Extends from Black Rock in the north, down to Red Rock in the south.
Extends west as far as Lawrence through to Ulmarra, then south-east toward Tucabia, then south to Red Rock.
Sea Country extends east past the mean high waters mark, then a further 900m east of the Dirrangun.
There are two shared areas, and they are;
Yaegl and Bandjalang Peoples to the north
Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr Peoples to the south
Consent Determination
Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
- Recognition of Yaegl People’s native title rights and interests in
both application areas including lands, waters of the Clarence
River and its estuaries and sea claimed country - The Yaegl people first sought recognition of their native title
rights and interests in November 1996, making this claim the
oldest native title matter in the Federal Court of Australia
(‘Yaegl #1’) - This case also resolved the land-based claims filed in 2011
(‘Yaegl #2’)
Yaegl #1 Land and Water
- Determination date
- 25/06/2015
Yaegl #2 Sea Claim
- Determination date
- 31/08/2017
Incorporated
Type of RNTBC
Trustee
Size
Medium
Region
NSW
Date of Incorporation
24 June 2015
Date of Registration
30 June 2015
ICN (Indigenous Corporation Number)
8254
ILUA - Indigenous Land Use Agreements
An ILUA is a voluntary agreement between native title parties and other people or bodies about the use and management of areas of land and/or waters.
An ILUA can be made over areas where:
- native title has been determined to exist in at least part of the area
- a native title claim has been made
- no native title claim has been made.
While registered, ILUAs bind all native title holders to the terms of the agreement. ILUAs also operate as a contract between the parties.