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Future Act Determination Details

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NSW - Future Act Determination - NF2021/0003-0006

​​​​​NF2021/0003, ​​NF2021/0004, ​​NF2021/0005, ​​NF2021/0006

NNTTA 12 (19 May 2025)
Future act determination
New South Wales  
Mr Kevin Smith (President)
Gomeroi People (NC2011/006) 
(native title party/Gomeroi)
- and -
Santos NSW Pty Ltd and Santos NSW (Narrabri Gas) Pty Ltd
(grantee parties/Santos)
- and -
State of New South Wales
(Government party/State)

19/05/2025
An inquiry into a future act determination application
Future Act - May be done subject to conditions

Representatives of the native title party: Fiona McLeod SC, Dr Angus Frith and Winsome Hall, Counsel Mishka Holt and William Scott, NTSCORP Limited

Representatives of the grantee parties: Raelene Webb KC and Marc McKechnie, Counsel Rebecca Hughes, Alice Jiang and Clare Lawrence, Ashurst Australia

Representatives of the Government party: Henry El Hage SC and Melita Parker, Counsel Karen Smith, NSW Crown Solicitor​


​native title – future act – future act determination application – remittal – engagement with expert – expert evidence – s 39 criteria considered – effect of act on native title rights and interests – enjoyment of native title rights and interests – particular significance – public interest in doing of act – effects of climate change – decisions and recommendations of other bodies – cultural heritage protection under State legislation ​

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth); Biological Conservation Act 2016 (NSW); Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 (NSW) s 3(1); Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s 4.41; Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth); Heritage Act 1997 (NSW); Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Act 2024 (NSW); National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Safeguard Mechanism) Rule 2015 (Cth) r 8 (Safeguard Mechanism Rule); National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) ss 7, 22XJ; National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW); Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 29(2); Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 3(a); Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 35; Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 36(2); Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 38; Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 39; Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 41; Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 50; Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW) s 6; Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) s 45;

Australian Potash Limited and Another v Kalman Murphy and Ors on behalf of Waturta [2021] NNTTA 46 (Australian Potash)
Bonnington Castings Ltd v Wardlaw [1956] AC 613 (Bonnington Castings)
Callychurn and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2019] AATA 4600 (Callychurn v ASIC)
Coalpac Pty Ltd/State of New South Wales/Gundungurra Tribal Council Aboriginal Corporation #6 (NC97/7), Wiray-dyuraa Maying-gu (NC11/3), Warrabinga-Wiradjuri People (NC11/4)/State of New South Wales [2013] NNTTA 2 (Coalpac)
Connell v Santos New South Wales Pty Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 1; (2014) 199 LGERA 84
Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1979] AATA 179; (1979) 46 FLR 409 
Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water [2024] FCAFC 56 (Living Wonders) 
Evans v Western Australia [1997] FCA 741; (1997) 77 FCR 193 
FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd v Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC [2014] FCA 1335; (2014) 227 FCR 182 (FMG v Yindjibarndi)
Gomeroi People v Santos NSW Pty Ltd and Santos NSW (Narrabri Gas) Pty Ltd [2024] FCAFC 26 (principal reasons)
Gomeroi People v Santos NSW Pty Ltd and Santos NSW (Narrabri Gas) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] FCAFC 49 (remittal)
Jagroop and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] AATA 751; (2015) 67 AAR 288 
Kanak v National Native Title Tribunal [1995] FCA 1624; (1995) 61 FCR 103
Magnesium Resources Pty Ltd; Anthony Warren Slater/Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People; Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People #2/Western Australia [2011] NNTTA 80 (Magnesium Resources)
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd [1986] HCA 40; (1986) 162 CLR 24 
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Wang [2003] HCA 11; 215 CLR 518
Minister for Lands, State of Western Australia and Another v Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC [2014] NNTTA 85
Minister for Mines (WA) v Evans [1998] NNTTA 5; (1998) 163 FLR 274
Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd (1971) 17 FLR 141
Muccan Minerals Pty Ltd and Another v Allen and Others on behalf of Njamal [2018] NNTTA 24
Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord Inc v Santos NSW (Eastern) Pty Ltd [2021] NSWLEC 110; (2021) 252 LGERA 221 (Mullaley Gas v Santos)
O’Sullivan v Farrer [1989] HCA 61; 168 CLR 210
Re Koara People [1996] NNTTA 31; (1996) 132 FLR 73
Santos NSW Pty Ltd and Another v Gomeroi People and Another [2022] NNTTA 74 (2022 Determination)
Shi v Migration Agents Registration Authority [2008] HCA 31; (2008) 235 CLR 286 
Silver v Northern Territory of Australia [2002] NNTTA 18; (2002) 169 FLR 1
Smith v Western Australia [2001] FCA 19; (2001) 108 FCR 442
Top End (Default PBC/CLA) Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Kess Diamond Marstella & Core Uranium Pty Ltd [2023] NNTTA 25 (Top End v Kess Diamond Marstella)
Top End (Default PBC/CLA) Aboriginal Corporation v Northern Territory of Australia [2025] FCA 22
Walley v Western Australia [1999] FCA 3; (1999) 87 FCR 565 
Watson on behalf of Nyikina & Mangala v Backreef Oil Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1432 (Watson v Backreef)
Western Australia v Thomas [1996] NNTTA 30; (1996) 133 FLR 124
Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation v Western Australia [2009] NNTTA 49; (2009) 232 FLR 169 (Western Desert Lands)
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Proserpine/Whitsunday Branch Inc v Minister for the Environment and Heritage [2006] FCA 736; (2006) 232 ALR 510 (Wildlife Preservation Society)
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd and Another [2014] NNTTA 8 (Yindjibarndi v FMG)

Mr Glen Kelly (Member), Ms Lisa Eaton (Member)