Deputy Premier Eric Ripper said the agreement between the Government and the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi and Yaburara Mardudhunera claim groups was an important step forward in protecting the rights of traditional owners.

Mr Ripper said as expected, a member of the Yaburara Mardudhunera group did not sign the agreement. The claimants were proceeding with a Federal Court application to remove the individual from the claim.

Mr Ripper said the agreement meant two of the three groups with registered native title claims over the Burrup Peninsula had accepted the merits of a package which allowed the major industrial developments to proceed in return for: protection of Aboriginal heritage in the non-industrial land on the Burrup; protection of the environment through the establishment of a co-managed conservation reserve; and a range of economic and community benefits, including education and training and a stake in future land developments.

As part of the agreement, native title clearance would be obtained from the two groups for the Burrup and Maitland industrial estates, and land in and around Karratha needed for light industrial and residential estates.

Hearson Cove would also be reserved for recreational purposes, and public access to Conzinc Bay would be addressed in the development of a management plan for the conservation reserve.

A third native title claim group, the Wong-goo-tt-Oo, was not part of the agreement. After unsuccessful efforts to negotiate with the group, the State has sought an arbitration hearing in the National Native Title Tribunal, which is continuing.