Arabana handed their land back

The Federal Court has granted the Arabana people native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres in South Australia's north, including Lake Eyre.

The Federal Court has granted the Arabana people native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres in South Australia's north, including Lake Eyre.

The determination, declared under a tent on the Finniss Springs station on Tuesday, brings to an end a 14-year claim by the traditional owners.

The majority of the area is covered by pastoral lease, including Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle property in the world.

It also includes three reserves, Elliot Price Conservation Park, Lake Eyre National Park and Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park as well as the towns of Marree and William Creek.

Under the terms of the consent order the Arabana people will have unconditional access to the land for hunting, camping, fishing and traditional ceremonies.

Attorney-General John Rau said the court ruling officially recognised that the Arabana people had lived on the land for a very long time and held important rights based on knowledge and customs handed down through generations.

"It brings what has been an arduous 14-year court process to a successful close," Mr Rau said.

"Native title has been a difficult and complex issue for both the state and the claimant groups and I am pleased that in this instance, such complexities have now been worked through in a spirit of cooperation and agreement."

The Arabana Aboriginal Corporation said the decision meant the land and Lake Eyre were being returned to the care of their rightful owners.

But it is expected to anger a group of sailors, members of the Lake Eyre Yacht Club, who have staged a number of events on the lake during times of flood.

They sailed in 2010 but were banned by the state government last year because of native title issues.

The chairman of the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation, Aaron Stuart, said the significance of today's Federal Court hearing could not be underestimated and Lake Eyre and the land surrounding it was being returned to the care of its rightful owners.

"Lake Eyre is a sacred and significant place to all Arabana people," he said.

"We care for that land and the lake and we want to see the land protected. This does not mean that we object to tourists ... we are happy to share our country."

The invitation to share Lake Eyre, however, is not extended to boat users who have sailed on the lake during rare times of flood. And the native title claim also gives the Arabana people negotiating powers with mining giants for facilities, services and royalties.

"We are happy for people to come and enjoy this land and the lake, swim in it and see its beauty, but we do not want boats on the lake," Mr Stuart said. "We want the site protected and we want the whole of the lake protected ... we also worry about safety with boats."

Mr Stuart said the Arabana people got back Finniss Springs Station, once a mission site, and a long-term pastoral lease on the property which would be central to plans to establish tourism operations and a community.

They have also been given eight blocks in Marree, which will become Crown land.

Marree Hotel publican Phil Turner said: "Historically, the recognition of the native title is incredibly significant and is a point in history.

"I think if there's any concern it's that there's a general lack of understanding among all people about what it all means," he said.