Preston Law has one of the most experienced and successful Indigenous Law teams representing local government, statutory authorities, infrastructure providers, rural producers, miners, tourism operators, land developers, and Indigenous entities in North Queensland.
We have over 50 years’ experience acting at the forefront of native title and cultural heritage issues affecting government and industry.
Our Native Title Law Services
Our services- protecting community and private infrastructure affected by native title claims
- options for developing public and private infrastructure on non-exclusive land
- strategic due diligence and compliance reviews and assessments for major projects
- negotiating and registering Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) for community and private infrastructure under theNative Title Act
- compliance with the Cultural Heritage Duty of Care Guidelines
- negotiating cultural heritage agreements and management plans
- assisting local governments and landholders involved in investigations and offences under theAboriginal Cultural Heritage ActandTorres Strait Cultural Heritage Act
- native title applications and dealings with native title representative bodies (NTRB)
- native title claim representation
- land tenure changes and upgrades
- mediation
- representation in the Federal Court and Land Court in native title applications and cultural heritage matters.
Contact us for advice on native title and cultural heritage issues.
Results for clients
- Our team has successfully negotiated over 60 significant Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), including:
- the Charleston Dam Project
- the Palm Island Improved Land Management ILUA
- the Mapoon Community Development.
- Seisia to Bamaga Sewerage Pipeline Project. Obtaining government approvals for construction of Seisia Bamaga Sewerage Pipeline including preparation of Native Title Future Act Notices and negotiating and implementing cultural heritage management arrangements. Project completed and constructed.
- Goldsborough Valley Tenure Resolution Project. Negotiation of tenure and public access issues at Goldsborough Valley resulting in dedication of Council reserves, protection of historic walking track by tenure, negotiation of an indigenous land use agreement, grant of Aboriginal freehold and resolution of native title claim.
- Southern Water Infrastructure Project. Addressing native title and cultural heritage issues associated with construction of 4 1ML water reservoirs at Majuba Creek (Ngadjon Ji, Fishery Falls, Frenchmans Creek and Junction Creek (Wanyurr Majay).
- Portsmith Landfill and Botanic Gardens. Lodgement of non-claimant application to address native title issues associated with proposed lease and tenure charges at Portsmith Landfill and Botanic Gardens.
- Torres Strait: successfully negotiated over 14 Indigenous Land Use Agreements for the delivery of essential goods and services to some of the most remote communities in Australia.
- Central Coast: provided training and advice for a large regional local government on compliance with a cultural heritage management agreement dealing with one of the most famous tourist spots in Australia and negotiated an upgrade of facilities on reserve land held by the local government.