Chalk & Fitzgerald - Lawyers & Consultants

Welcome

We are a small law firm committed to delivering high quality services to Indigenous Australians, particularly in relation to their lands and waters.

Our singular aim is to support communities and individuals in achieving their goals.

News

Applications for Biodiversity Funding Grants Currently Open

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is accepting applications for biodiversity funding grants. The grants, part of the Federal Government’s Clean Energy Future plan, are designed to encourage the management, conservation and enhancement of native vegetation by promoting biodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and associations are eligible to apply for this funding; applications close 5pm, Tuesday 31 January 2012.

Long awaited native title determination for the Kalkadoon People

On 12 December 2011, almost two decades since the lodgement of their native title claim, the Kalkadoon people were formally recognised as the traditional owners of nearly 40,000 square kilometres of land in North West Queensland. The Federal Court’s determination followed long negotiations between the land holders and the Queensland government granting the Kalkadoon people around 4,000 square kilometres of the land, and non-exclusive rights over the remaining land.

Native title determination over River Murray and Mallee region - South Australia

On 18 November, the Federal Court recognised the native title rights and interests of the First Peoples claim group. The claim group’s members belong to the six previous tribal groups who were identified in the ethnographic record relating to the river within the claim area: Nganguruku, Nagaiawang, Ngawait, Erawirung, Ngintait and Maraura; with another group occupying the south-eastern part of the claim area (the Mallee): the Ngarkat. The determination is reported as Turner v South Australia [2011] FCA 1312.