Volume 5 Issue 2

Computer Mapping & Native Title

Nicholas Calabria*

This paper provides an introduction to some of the features associated with Computer Based Mapping using existing GIS and available technology. It presents some of the concepts central to understanding how a GIS (Genamap) operates and the difficulties and limitations of legal practitioners being involved with the available technology. The paper also considers possible uses for a GIS in legal practice including those relevant to various aspects of native title and land claims.

* B.A., LL.B. (Macq), Lecturer in Law, Tutor for Overseas Law Students, Law Support Program Coordinator, Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania; Consultant Solicitor, Bryan G. Turner, Sydney, New South Wales; Practitioner, Tasmania. The original draft of this paper was presented to the Aboriginal Legal Issues Interest Group of the Australasian Law Teachers Association (ALTA) Conference hosted by and at the University of Tasmania Law Faculty in Hobart 30 September to 2 October 1994.

In the preparation and presentation of this paper the technical support of Bronwyn Lowe (Spatial Database Manager), Gary Mackenzie and Georgina Ashton - Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga) and Peter Jones, Simon and Rachel Morse - University of Tasmania (Hobart) is acknowledged and appreciated. The guidance of the respective Heads of the University of Tasmania Law School, Professor Michael Tilbury and Associate Professor Kate Warner, is also much appreciated. I wish to thank Professor Garth Nettheim and those attending the presentation at ALTA 30 September 1994 - Hobart for their valuable comments and also my colleagues Rohan Price and Marc Deegan, for their perceptive observations and suggestions on drafts of the paper. A very special thank you goes to my wife Wendy and our children for their encouragement and assistance.