JESSICA POLLOCK
Lead Practitioner - Native Title and First Nations
LAVAN
BIO
Jessica Pollock is an associate in Lavan’s Planning & Environment team. She has an in-depth understanding of Native Title law in Western Australia.
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Jessica’s area of expertise is advising on matters relating to Native Title and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. Her experience spans not-for profit and small firm advocacy as well as advising mining proponents , property developers and other land users on matters relating to Native Title.
She has demonstrable experience across a range of Native Title Agreements that consist of joint ventures, mining agreements, future acts and right to negotiate matters, ILUAs and Aboriginal heritage agreements, including the implementation, governance and compliance of those agreements. Jessica has experience in taking instruction, negotiating on behalf of and advocating for First Nations people, having in house Representative Body experience, specifically assisting Prescribed Body Corporates to manage their Native Title.
Jessica also has general corporate experience, having worked across the Corporate Services team before transitioning into the First Nations space.
Presentation
First Nations Partnerships in the Clean Energy Transition
Australia is rapidly transitioning to clean energy to meet the Paris Agreement climate targets.
This shift goes beyond addressing climate change; it also embraces broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. A critical aspect of this transition is ensuring First Nations peoples are active partners, sharing in the economic benefits of development on their traditional lands.
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Given that about 63% of Australia's land is under Native Title claims or determinations, which includes areas needed for large-scale wind and solar farms, engaging with First Nations peoples is essential.
This engagement should be a priority from the start of any project, not just a compliance exercise.
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Modern engagement practices are evolving to go beyond legal obligations. Companies are increasingly adopting international best practices, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. This involves seeking free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from First Nations communities, which helps mitigate operational, reputational, and legal risks.