Native title and cultural heritage negotiations are an important aspect of public infrastructure and resources exploration projects. In order to successfully deliver large projects, it's important to negotiate and reach agreements in a timely manner, and maintain good relationships with indigenous stakeholders.
Our native title and cultural heritage specialists have a sophisticated understanding of the drivers and considerations necessary in cross-cultural negotiations. With a detailed understanding of the approvals process for major developments, we will help you develop a 'whole of project' strategy for dealing with native title, cultural heritage and legislative compliance issues.
We have a strong understanding of indigenous groups in Queensland and of the people within those groups who need to be involved in order to successfully reach an agreement. We also have extensive experience liaising with the State Government, the National Native Title Tribunal and native title representative bodies.
Members of the firm have acted pro bono for indigenous people in order to protect their rights and interests in relation to lands and waters, including Keith Kemp in his attempts to protect 'Saltwater' from development that was contrary to traditional laws and customs.
This experience, coupled with an in-depth understanding of the legislation in Queensland that impacts on native title negotiations, enables us to provide a complete and connected service for our clients.
Areas of Expertise
- Land access
- Native title negotiations, mediations and agreements
- Indigenous Land Use Agreements
- Right to Negotiate Agreements
- Cultural Heritage Management Plans
Recent Experience
- Advising and negotiating on behalf of Armour Energy for two native title agreements in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
- Advising Northern Energy Corporation on two Right to Negotiate agreements.
- Advising Bow Energy on native title and cultural heritage due diligence, and native title agreement negotiation and drafting.
- Advising Anglo American Metallurgical Coal on land access, cultural heritage and native title issues and agreements at multiple sites.
- Advising Bandanna Energy on its coal mine development and co-development agreements for exploration, including negotiating land access and providing advice on native title and compensation.
- Advising D'Aguilar Gold on the potential impact of native title issues on exploration tenements.
- Advising Arrow Energy and CH4 on native title and cultural heritage.
- Advising and negotiating on behalf of Drillsearch Energy on agreements in relation to eight Authorities to Prospect affecting four indigenous groups in southwest Queensland.
- Advising Queensland Ores on the native title issues associated with the grant of mining tenements for the Mt Cannindah minerals project in Queensland.
- Advising AGL on its negotiations with the Wiradjuri people on the Central West pipeline in New South Wales.
- Advising Monto Minerals on the cultural heritage issues affecting its Goondicun minerals development project.
- Advising Curtain Brothers on an inquiry in the Native Title Tribunal for a future act determination, with our role including representing Curtain Brothers at a number of hearings.
- Advising an Aboriginal group on a native title claim in Queensland.
- Advising the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations in relation to winding up an Indigenous corporation in Mt Isa, Queensland.
- Advising Yallourn Energy on agreements with the Gunai Kurnai people over the grant of its mining licence in the Latrobe Valley.
- Advising SunWater on native title in relation to extinguishment by public works.
- Advising Deutsche Rohstoff Australia on its strategy for negotiating native title agreements for its mining projects and negotiating on its behalf.
- Representing the State in the Federal Court of Australia and at National Native Title Tribunal mediation meetings in numerous native title matters.
- Representing the State at numerous public meetings relating to native title claims and Indigenous Land Use Agreements.
- Advising Norton Gold Fields on native title and land access arrangements for its operations at Mount Morgan and at the Paddington Gold Mine in Western Australia.
- Advising Zamia Resources on land access and compensation.
- Advising Pangaea Resources on native title issues in two States and the Northern Territory.
