Native Title: Proponents
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 2
About
Provided by McCullough Robertson
McCullough Robertson’s native title practice is one of Australia’s leading teams, renowned for its pioneering role in developing native title law. With over 30 years of experience, the team has built a reputation for navigating the complexities of native title and cultural heritage issues, requiring sensitivity, patience, and a deep understanding of legislation and community expectations.
They advise a diverse range of clients, including government entities, Traditional Owners, developers, and land users, providing tailored solutions to meet their obligations in this intricate area. Expertise includes negotiating and drafting Indigenous land use agreements, right to negotiate agreements, and cultural heritage management plans. The focus extends to future acts, land access, and projects in mining, renewable energy, and infrastructure, ensuring services are appropriate, commercial, and cost-effective.
The team combines traditional legal activities with strategic advisory roles, prioritising cultural sensitivities to achieve harmonious outcomes. The practice regularly lectures on this subject at universities across the eastern seaboard and offers native title training, making it a preferred provider for Indigenous groups and businesses. Committed to advancing native title law, the team ensures clients receive the highest standard of service, solidifying its status as the ‘go-to’ native title law firm for significant clients across Australia.
Chambers Review
McCullough Robertson regularly represents proponent clients, including leading players in the mining and gas sectors. It advises on indigenous land use and the right to negotiate agreements, cultural heritage management strategiesand future act and compensation issues. The law firm is noted for its strength in advising on consents for carbon projects and the interaction between obtaining carbon credits and native title rights. It also advises state and local government agencies.
Work Highlights
- McCullough Robertson negotiated an Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the Bowen Renewable Energy Hub, on behalf of Renewable Energy Partners and Blue Hydro.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"McCullough Robertson provides valuable and timely advice which we highly value."
"The firm has shown exemplary communications skills across cultures and stakeholder capability."
"McCullough Robertson provides valuable and timely advice which we highly value."
"The firm has shown exemplary communications skills across cultures and stakeholder capability."
Notable Practitioners
Dominic McGann is based in Brisbane and is particularly noted for advising both government and corporate clients on the native title aspects of major developments in the energy and resources sector.
"Dominic's ability to provide frank and unbiased advice is highly valued, as is his knowledge of current and evolving events."
Liam Davis advises extensively on the interaction of native title and cultural heritage issues with the development of large projects. He is based in Brisbane.
Ranked Lawyers at
McCullough Robertson
Australia
Members
Provided by McCullough Robertson
Clients
Provided by McCullough Robertson
Diatreme Resources
Iberdrola
Peabody
Qld Gov
Senex Energy
Industries
Provided by McCullough Robertson
Agriculture
Government
Infrastructure
Mining
Property Development
Renewable Energy