A native title claim over an area that includes Melbourne has been lodged by Traditional Owners and could progress quickly through the courts.

Covering thousands of square kilometres, the claim area includes most of metropolitan Melbourne and was filed by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people in the Federal Court on Friday.

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.

Traditional Owners are seeking the right to "speak for", make decisions on, have access to and protect local areas of significance.

The claim would not override existing property rights and would not affect private homes, businesses or public infrastructure, according to the group.

The application, filed by law f

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