Mean Low Water Mark using Synthetic Aperture Radar
Abstract
This paper presents a world first case study, examining the demarcation of Mean Low Water Mark (MLWM) for a Traditional Aboriginal Land Claim made pursuant to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (ALRA). The study area is the Kenbi (Cox Peninsula) Land Claim located immediately west of Darwin, Northern Territory. The claimants are the traditional Aboriginal owners for that region. The delineation of MLWM in this instance was achieved by using airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
Approved survey plans form the basis for formal granting of Legal Title to land. In December 2000 the former Aboriginal Land Commissioner (ALC) made recommendations in his report on the Kenbi/Cox Peninsula Land Claim, to the Minister for granting of land, being unalienated Crown Land, to traditional owners. The recommendation was for the granting of land to traditional owners of the Cox Peninsula to Mean Low Water Mark (MLWM).
Authors
D.Bell, A.Stalker, N.Stacy, R.Bartolo & J.Forner