Since 1976, when the Australian Commonwealth Parliament passed legislation that allowed Aboriginal groups to lodge claims for unalienated Crown land in the Northern Territory, Australia, some 67 claims for land covering a total area of 591,102 square kilometres have been granted to the traditional owners.

The procedure involves a detailed and rigorous investigation by the Aboriginal Land Commissioner, a Federal Court Judge, to test the claimants right to the land. The Commissioner’s recommendations are then subject to the scrutiny of the Australian Commonwealth Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, before final approval by the Governor-General.

Sinclair Knight Merz has played an important role in the processing of these land claims.

When claims are approved, the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination contracts Sinclair Knight Merz to undertake boundary surveys and prepare plans for lodgement with the Northern Territory Surveor-General, Department fo Infrastructure, Planning and Environment which forms the basis for granting legal title to the land.

An important part of our approach at Sinclair Knight Merz to these surveys has been a respect for Aboriginal requirements regarding sites of significance, and sensitivity to the interests of adjoining landholders.

Consultation with Aboriginal Land Councils and other Aboriginal groups, as well as pastoralists and regulatory bodies, has become an integral part of our procedures for undertaking land claim surveys.

Sinclair Knight Merz brings vast experience in spatial information management to the Program Management role. We are in a position to provide added value to the survey program through our skills in information management.

Brochures - View our Indigenous brochures here