Native Title: Proponents

Herbert Smith Freehills' well-respected, Queensland-headquartered group draws on expertise across a range of disciplines to assist clients in the delivery of high-profile resources and infrastructure projects. It provides comprehensive advisory services covering native title, cultural heritage, land access and approvals issues. The team is also noted for its strong litigation expertise and represents clients in Federal Court and National Native Title Tribunal proceedings. Herbert Smith Freehills has close interactions with many leading industry bodies in the mining, oil and gas, energy and water sectors. Key clients include Main Roads WA and Beach Energy.

"They are very pragmatic and business-focused. They always come prepared and know the region very well. They are all very friendly and insightful providing high level strategic advice."

Herbert Smith Freehills was engaged by Acciona to provide native title and cultural heritage advice in relation to the development of MacIntyre Wind Farm.

Melanie Debenham is a Perth-based partner whose specialist native title, cultural heritage and land access expertise is helpfully complemented by a thorough familiarity with environmental issues and extensive experience of advising on the development of major projects in the mining, oil and gas and energy sectors. "Melanie is top of the class in all respects. She provides commercial and pragmatic advice."