Update on the Lawson Proceedings Lawson v Minister for
Environment and Water [2022] NSWLEC 122
Acquiring authorities, including Councils, can acquire native
title rights and interests the same way they can any other
interests in land. However, the Lawson Proceedings have shed light
on additional considerations with native title claims.
The proceedings take their name from Ms Dorothy Lawson, Murra
Wurra Paakantji elder (dubbed 'the next Eddie Mabo' by
media). While they date back to 2014, Ms Lawson's legal battle
really started in 2003.
The land is in the Lake Victoria area, part of the
Murray-Darling basin. In 1914, the Commonwealth and the States of
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia entered into an
agreement for water storage for the benefit of South Australia.
