Native Title claims costing councils millions

Local councils in Queensland have asked for Federal support to deal with a growing number of Native Title claims in the State.

There are currently 38 ongoing claims, including one that has run for 24 years.

Redland City Council, north of Brisbane, says it has spent many years responding to claims, with many affecting properties owned on land.

The Queensland Government has assessed 1,300 properties and found 80 could be subject to the title claim, including an animal shelter and cemetery.

The claims have already cost the council $2m in legal bills.

Until 2013 the the Native Title Respondent Funding Scheme assisted councils, but the current Labor government abolished the scheme when it came to power three years ago.

Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith told The Courier-Mail newspaper in Brisbane she supported calls for funding to be reinstated.

“Local governments are automatically joined as respondents when a Native Title claim affecting the local government area is lodged in the Federal Court,” she said.

“It is critical that the Commonwealth reinstates the Financial Assistance Scheme so local governments are able to access funding to participate in the claim process.”