Mr Franks, who is a descendant of Aboriginal custodians of the land in question, says he lodged the claim with the Native Title Tribunal to make sure the region’s traditional identity is protected.

The tribunal registered the native title application, which covers parts of Maitland, Dungog, Cessnock, Upper Hunter and Singleton local ­government areas, last week.

The claim applies to Crown land and other places where native title has not been extinguished.

It would give the Plains Clans of the Wonnarua people a legal voice when it comes to future activities of mining companies and other organisations that operate on the Crown land.

Mr Franks’ eagerness to head off any concern, real or imagined, says something about the unjustified panic that can sometimes rear its head when the issue of native title appears in ­public debate.

The fact is, no one is coming to knock on your door and take a piece of your backyard.

This is simply a case of a group ­trying to preserve its customs and ­traditions.

To Mr Franks and the Plains Clans, this native title claim is about protecting traditional land that is home to sacred sites, where bush tucker can still be found and where traditional customs can be practised so their ­physical history is not lost for future generations.

“It’s confirmation of the existence of our group,” Mr Franks told the Mercury when asked what the native title claim meant to him.

“It’s confirmation of who we are.”

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