Melbourne council moves to join landmark Wurundjeri native title claim
More than 200 parks and Crown land sites including the MCG, Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Zoo listed in sweeping Federal Court application.
THE City of Melbourne is set to formally join a landmark native title claim that covers more than 200 parks and Crown land sites across the municipality, including the MCG, Royal Botanic Gardens, Carlton Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Royal Park, Government House and Melbourne Zoo.
Council administrators will vote next week to file a notice of intention to become a respondent in the Federal Court proceedings by July 21, a move that would give the council a direct voice in how future land-use agreements are negotiated.
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung native title claim was lodged in the Federal Court in October 2025 by elder Perry Wandin and 10 other applicants on behalf of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. It was formally registered by the National Native Title Tribunal in January 2026.
The claim covers about 10,424 square kilometres stretching from the Werribee River in the west to the foothills of Mount Baw Baw in the east, encompassing most of metropolitan Melbourne and parts of more than 30 other Victorian councils.
The council has mapped 587.6 hectares of Crown land assets within its boundaries that fall within the claim area.
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people are seeking legal recognition of their right to use, "speak for" and make decisions about the land and waters, and to protect places of cultural significance and maintain their spiritual and economic connection to the area.
The claim does not affect private homes or businesses. It applies only to Crown land.
A successful claim could give the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people decision-making power over public land and water bodies within the claim area.
Similar claims have already succeeded in other Australian capital cities. A 2005 Federal Court ruling recognised the Noongar people's native title over Perth's metropolitan area, and the Kaurna people's claim over Adelaide was settled in 2018.
Seven native title determinations have been granted in Victoria, with six further claims pending.
The claim was filed a week after the Allan government passed its Treaty with Aboriginal Victorians legislation in November 2025. Premier Jacinta Allan backed the native title claim at the time, calling it a "positive thing for traditional owner groups" that provided for connection between country and waters.
Mr Wandin said the Wurundjeri people had fought for decades for recognition and respect.
The Melbourne electorate was the most supportive in the nation of the 2023 Voice referendum, with more than 77 per cent of residents voting in favour.