A Federal Court judge says the native title process is still taking too long in New South Wales.

At a hearing in the northern New South Wales village of Tabulam today, Judge Jayne Jagot granted a native title claim legally recognising the rights of the Western Bundjalung people as traditional owners of the land.

Ms Jagot said the claim, which was filed in December 2011, had taken too long.

"It's taken six years to get here from the filing of the claim and many years I know in the lead up to the making of that claim," she said.

"They've not been easy years.

"I believe that this does perpetuate injustice by other means."

However, the Western Bundjalung claim may be considered speedy in comparison to other native title determinations in the state that have taken more than 15 years to resolve.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 2 minutes 26 seconds 2 m 26 s Dirrangun legend ( ABC North Coast: Catherine Marciniak )

Gary Brown is a member of one of 10 families who made the Western Bundjalung claim together.

He said the unified approach adopted by himself and the other applicants could be the key to getting other claims considered in a more timely manner.

"I think we might set a precedent here," he said.

"Where others can be able to look at our claim, and say, pick a few things out of it. So it will be good for them to go ahead."

A map prepared by the National Native Title Tribunal showing determined areas. ( Supplied: NTSCORP )

Western Bundjalung territory extends from the Clarence River at Moleville, north of Grafton, to Carpet Snake Creek, north of Tabulam, and from the Hogarth Range in the east to Bald Rock National Park in the west.

It includes the Aboriginal settlements at Baryulgil, Malabugilmah, Jubullam Village and Jubal.

The two main water courses of Western Bundjalung country are the Clarence River and the Rocky River.

The claim area covers more than 5,000 square kilometres and contains 24 national parks, nature reserves and state conservation areas.

Native title rights may include:

Living in the area

Living in the area Access to the area for traditional purposes such as camping or ceremonies

Access to the area for traditional purposes such as camping or ceremonies Visiting important sites

Visiting important sites Hunting, fishing, gathering food and natural resources

Hunting, fishing, gathering food and natural resources Teaching law and custom.

Casino High School's Doobs dancer group performed at the Western Bundjalung Native Title claim hearing at Tabulam in northern New South Wales. ( ABC North Coast: Catherine Marciniak )

About 400 people attended the consent determination hearing.

Chief executive of the Native Title Services Corporation, Natalie Rotumah, said multiple claims were initially lodged by families and groups with an ongoing attachment to the land.

She praised their decision to unite.

"We went around and we spoke to a number of the elders and the communities and told them to let us get our research done, let us get that stuff right and let's come together," she said.

"They made that decision to come together, united, for this part of Bundjalung country and today, I guess, is a testament to that there."

Applicant Joan Hippi cried tears of joy as the determination was made.

"First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge the land we stand on today cause it is a foundation for social, economic and employment outcomes for our future generations," she said.

"This is a big thing for us today. This is the start of a new beginning."

Western Bundjalung native title applicant Dave Walker. ( ABC North Coast: Catherine Marciniak )

Applicant Dave Walker said he would celebrate in the best way he knew how.

"I might just sleep … sleep on my land down here tonight on the side of the river," he said.

"I've got no blanket or anything but I'll just go down and make a fire and just sit up and enjoy it, I think. Because it's our land."

The Western Bundjalung determination is the 10th in NSW since the Native Title Act came into force in 1993.

Another Federal Court sitting will take place in the northern New South Wales town of Yamba on Thursday, relating to a claim that covers part of the ocean.