Chalk & Fitzgerald - Lawyers & Consultants

Land use and development

Effective land management is critical to the future vitality of Aboriginal communities. We understand land planning and management, whether it be for conservation or development. We also advise clients when others wish to negotiate access to their lands.

For many communities the priority is to seek income generating options for their lands that do not involve the disposal of the underlying title. Our property services include:

  • Strategic planning and risk management;
  • Environmental planning law advice;
  • Development applications, re-zonings and appeals;
  • Land dealing approvals and ‘non-claimant’ applications;
  • Conveyancing, leasing and other dealings;
  • Advice on compulsory acquisitions;
  • Bio-offset, bio-banking and conservation agreements;
  • Tender management and procurement;
  • Development joint ventures and partnerships;
  • Project management, development and building contracts;
  • Water licensing; and
  • Resource and licensing agreements.

Future act negotiations

We have expertise in relation to all types of ‘future act’ negotiations. We have conducted some of the largest mining agreements yet negotiated with native title holders. Our services in relation to mineral and resource land access include:

  • Advising on approaches to negotiations;
  • Lead and support negotiation roles;
  • Agreement drafting;
  • Tribunal representation; and
  • Benefit advising and structuring.