Qld native title claim decision on Tuesday

AN Aboriginal clan expects to be granted native title over land in far north Queensland, allowing them to hunt, fish and camp in the area.

A Cairns Supreme Court judge will rule on Tuesday whether a clan of the Yidinji people, based in the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns, will be handed the title.

Spokesman Shaun Joseph says the clan expects the judge to rule in their favour.

"(Having native title) means a lot. It gives us the opportunity to get back out there and get reconnected," he told AAP.

"What it means is that we're recognised as the first traditional owners by the government.

"It doesn't actually give us outright ownership of the area, but what it does mean is that we can practise hunting and gathering and go camping."

Mr Joseph says there will also be economic benefits for the clan as they may be awarded contracts to manage weeds in the area.

The clan was granted native title over about 150 square kilometres around Tinaroo Falls, near Atherton, last December, settling a claim lodged in 1999.

The claim that will be determined on Tuesday was lodged in 2004 and relates to a much larger area of land, also near Atherton.

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