As one of few lawyers in Queensland with a combination of significant senior government and private practice experience, his previous Queensland Government roles included Program Director of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Land Interests Program with the then Department of Lands.
Dominic advises clients on all areas of project approvals and compliance, specialising in native title and cultural heritage. He is an acknowledged authority for native title and cultural heritage matters, trusted by state and local governments, Traditional Owners and public and private entities as a strategic adviser.
Combining legal expertise and strategic advice, Dominic takes astute account of cultural sensitivities to achieve successful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, businesses and government. Out of the significant work he does across Australia, he has developed strong relationships that continually prove to be crucial for communicating effectively with stakeholders and creating mutually beneficial solutions.
Acting for a range of clients, Dominic regularly supports energy and infrastructure companies, as well as local Aboriginal Shire Councils, particularly around social infrastructure issues in the communities which are generally in remote parts of Australia.
Dominic participates in a range of social initiatives, which is helping to close the gap for remote Indigenous communities across Cape York Peninsula.
Dominic is also a qualified mediator and serves on the boards of a range of corporations.
Update on the Michael Roche Scholarship
New offences and proactive approaches – what to expect from the new Environmental Protection Bill
Advising on its Northern Silica Project in Far North Queensland, and the Cyclone Zircon Project in Western Australia’s Eucla Basin. This proposed agreement is unique because it may be the first Queensland project to engage the First Nations People, not just as landowners or the Native Title Holders, but as owners and partners with equity and ownership of the project.
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.
Acting for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in relation to the upgrade and approvals for critical infrastructure. This has included the Peninsula Developmental Road, Gateway Upgrade North Project in Queensland, the Coomera Connector and the Beames Brook Bridge.
Advising Iberdrola Australia on cultural heritage and native title issues, including advising on the appropriate engagement strategy to bid for various onshore and offshore wind licences.
Acting on behalf of the Queensland Treasury to negotiate an ILUA with the Danggan Balun Five Rivers People, to allow the development of The Spit Master Plan at the Gold Coast’s iconic Spit.
Acting for Frasers Property on the native title and cultural heritage issues associated with the Ripley Valley Development. This is a highly unusual matter that involves a very rare example of a piece of Aboriginal heritage under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 (Qld) (Aboriginal heritage otherwise appearing within a native title context).
Acting for Metro Mining, leading the native title and Indigenous landholder negotiations and was successful in developing the first agreement in Cape York for some time for Metro’s new mining project.
Acting as the primary legal adviser to Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) and Aak Puul Ngantam.
Brisbane
Level 11, 66 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel +61 7 3233 8888
Sydney
Level 32, 25 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel +61 2 8241 5600
Canberra
Level 9, 2 Phillip Law Street
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel +61 2 8241 5600