
Project Approvals and Compliance
Streamlining approvals and ensuring compliance for resources and renewables projects
At McCullough Robertson, our Resources & Renewables Approvals and Compliance team is trusted to deliver approvals for some of Australia’s largest and most complex projects. With a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, we identify potential pitfalls early and develop tailored strategies to avoid or overcome them. Our whole-of-project approach ensures projects move seamlessly from exploration to production and beyond, while mitigating risks at every stage.
Comprehensive support across all approvals and compliance needs
We offer end-to-end legal support to navigate the intricate approvals process and meet compliance requirements, including:
- Tenement management issues;
- Obtaining environmental approvals, and managing Environmental Impact Statement processes;
- Landholder agreements;
- Native title and cultural heritage;
- Land Court matters, including objections;
- Infrastructure agreements, and other bespoke commercial arrangements;
- Compliance and incident response;
- Water management issues;
- Government liaison and strategy;
- Stakeholder management; and
- Due diligence.
Native title and cultural heritage: expertise built over decades
Since establishing one of Australia’s first native title practices in 1996, McR has played a pioneering role in shaping native title law. These matters require a balance of sensitivity, patience, and a thorough understanding of legislation and community expectations.
Our team works closely with project proponents, Traditional Owners, and communities to develop solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. We advise on all aspects of native title, including Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs).
A trusted partner in approvals and compliance
Whether it’s securing critical project approvals, managing environmental compliance, or resolving native title and cultural heritage complexities, our team is committed to providing practical, cost-effective solutions. We combine technical expertise with a collaborative approach to keep your projects moving forward.
To find out more, contact Liam Davis
Our legal expertise
Peabody Energy
We have a long history of advising Peabody on approvals, environmental, native title, cultural heritage, operational, and tenement matters across all its Queensland and New South Wales assets.
We have also acted for Peabody in significant project related litigation and assisted with national audits of rehabilitation requirements.
Diatreme Resources
Advising on its Northern Silica Project in Far North Queensland, and the Cyclone Zircon Project in Western Australia’s Eucla Basin.
The Northern Silica Project included negotiations for a First Nations project agreement that engaged the First Nations People, not just as landowners or Native Title Holders, but as owners and partners with equity and ownership of the project.
Evolution Mining Limited
Advising Evolution Mining across its gold projects in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, including on environment and planning issues, land access, and the negotiation of native title and cultural heritage agreements.
We are also advising in relation to the conversion of its Mt Rawdon mine into a large-scale pumped hydro power station at the end of the mine’s life.
Batchfire Resources
Managing a range of approvals and compliance issues for Batchfire Resources and its Callide Coal Mine, including assisting in managing existing stakeholder agreements such as cultural heritage agreements and native title agreements with the Gaangalu People.
Senex Energy Limited
Providing a broad range of approvals and compliance advice to support the ongoing development of the Atlas and Roma North Projects, including negotiating key project land access agreements, native title agreements, and cultural heritage agreements, and providing related approvals and compliance advice.
Iberdrola
Advising Iberdrola Australia on environmental, land access, cultural heritage and native title issues, including advising on the appropriate engagement strategy to bid for offshore wind operations license and negotiating its native title and cultural heritage agreements.
Vitrinite
Advising Vitrinite on its overall approvals strategy. This has included providing comprehensive advice on its native title and cultural heritage strategy for the development of its projects, the negotiation of an ILUA to allow its Vulcan project to proceed, stakeholder engagement, strategic land access advice, and commercial advice to enable coordination between resources projects.
ACE Power
Advising ACE Power on native title and cultural heritage matters, including negotiating ILUAs and CHMPs, and on tenure and overlapping tenements for its wind, solar and BESS projects across Queensland.
Your project approvals and compliance team
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