Victorian Traditional Owners have lodged a Native Title claim covering much of Naarm/Melbourne and its surrounding areas.
Brought forward by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, the claim - which will not affect the rights of Melbourne property owners - will bring the total number of Native Title applications before the Federal Court in Victoria to seven. It comes as historic treaty legislation is set to be signed into law this week.
The claim extends across thousands of square kilometres, from the mouth of the Werribee River north to its headwaters in the Great Dividing Range, reaching east to Mount Baw Baw, south through Bunyip, and west to Mordialloc Creek.
Filed on Friday by 11 members of the group, the Wurundjeri's claim also includes the historic Coranderrk mission - secured by Wurundjeri leader William Barak and still regarded as a cornerstone of Aboriginal self-determination - and covers major sections of Victoria's key waterways, including parts of the Yarra, Plenty, and Maribyrnong rivers, as well as an area of Port Phillip Bay.
If successful, it would become the third native title determination encompassing a capital city - following Perth and Adelaide - and the eighth in Victoria.
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Perry Wandin told the ABC, "Wurundjeri people have fought for decades for recognition and respect and have been at the forefront of protecting culture and country in Melbourne and surrounds".
"We want the waterways, the land to be looked after."
In 2017, the Victorian Parliament recognised the Wurundjeri people's intrinsic connection to the Yarra by creating the Birrarung Council to advise the government on river management. They are already recognised as the Traditional Owners of much of the area under Victorian law.
A successful claim would enhance the Wurundjeri's ability to apply traditional wildfire-prevention practices, although much of the land in question is non-Crown land and therefore exempt from native title claims.
Freehold title extinguishes Native Title, as affirmed by the High Court.
However, extensive areas of parks, reserves, and vacant Crown land could give the Wurundjeri greater influence over land and water management.
Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson told The Age that increased authority over the Yarra (Birrarung in Woiwurrung) River's management is central to the claim.
"Part of our sovereign inheritance, handed down from our ancestors, is to care for Country, community and culture," he said. "The Birrarung, all its catchments and all the land associated with it, is part of that inheritance.
"If we get Native Title over the Birrarung and the Maribyrnong as well, our voice and understanding of what caring for Country is all about will hopefully be listened to."
The Federal Court filing marks an early stage in a process that can take years. In Victoria, several determinations have already been granted, including to the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar peoples.
After a decades-long fight for recognition, the Ngintait, Latji Latji, and Nyeri Nyeri peoples in north-west Victoria were granted Native Title in July this year.
In contrast, the Yorta Yorta's 1994 bid for Native Title was unsuccessful, with the Federal and High Courts ruling the community had not demonstrated a continuous connection to the land.
The Native Title Tribunal will review the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people's claim - which is supported by Slater and Gordon Lawyers - to determine whether it should be registered and to notify any affected parties.
