Traditional landowners have launched a native title claim covering most of Melbourne and surrounding regions.

The claim filed in the Federal Court by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people seeks legal recognition of their cultural, traditional rights and continuous connection to the land and water.

Covering thousands of square kilometres, the claim area includes most of metropolitan Melbourne.

It spans territory north of the city to beyond the Great Dividing Range, west to the Werribee River, east towards Mount Baw Baw and south to Mordialloc Creek.

The traditional owners seek the right to “speak for”, make decisions on, have access to and protect local areas of significance.

The group said on Monday that its claim would not override existing property rights and would not affect private homes, businesses or public infrastructure.

The application, filed with the Federal Court on Friday by law firm Slater and Gordon, marked a “historic” step towards justice and recognition of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people’s ongoing cultural authority in relation to their traditional country, the claimants said.

The Wurundjeri people had been at the forefront of protecting culture and Country in Melbourne and surrounds for decades, elder Perry Wandin said.

“It is now time for the traditional lore and customs of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people to be recognised,” he said.

Aunty Di Kerr said the case was about acknowledgement and respect.

“It’s about ensuring our connection to Country is recognised in law as it has always existed in truth,” she said.

The courts have granted seven native title claims in Victoria. A further six, covering the majority of the state, remain pending.

In 2021, the Noongar people achieved native title settlement over an area covering Perth, and the Kaurna people were successful in their claim over an area that includes Adelaide in 2018.

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people intend to work constructively with the Victorian government and neighbouring traditional owner groups to seek agreement on the claim.

The native title claim application follows the separate, nation-leading treaty laws passing the state parliament weeks earlier.

Negotiations between the government and the Indigenous representative body will not start until July 2026. The government will hold a public ratification with the First Peoples Assembly at Federation Square on December 12.

-AAP