Majella Pollard

Clayton Utz
Partner Brisbane

Majella was named Lawyer of the Year Government Practice for 2024 and is regularly recognised by her peers as one of Australia's Best Lawyers in Government Practice (2017 - 2024), Planning and Environment Law (2016 - 2024) and Litigation (2023 - 2024).

Always exceptional advice and service from Majella's team.

– Local government client

Overview
Majella is a trusted advisor with market leading expertise and a strong track record advising on infrastructure projects, complex front-end processes, corridor acquisition and native title.
Majella works with her clients from business case development through to early works, the preparation of documents, corridor acquisition, compensation negotiations and representation, and post construction land and tenure issues.
Notable Work
  • Cross River Rail: acting on all aspects of the acquisition and use of the corridor as well as general property issues and is currently assisting with the compensation claims.
  • Australian Rail Track Corporation: advising on native title for the Inland Rail project and developed the land acquisition program and site access schedules for Queensland.
  • Sunshine Coast Regional Council: assisting with acquiring the corridor to upgrade Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, Oval Avenue, Caloundra and other projects.
  • Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR): advising on $50m claim for compensation under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967.
  • TMR: advised on the relocation of Mackay Sugar Mill's cane rail easements including negotiating and documenting agreements to acquire, relocate and grant easements and acted in Land Court proceedings to obtain the necessary easements to relocate the cane rail.
  • Brisbane City Council: advised on its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the standards for public transport (buses and ferries) and buildings.  Majella also assists Council with complaints in relation to transport and accessibility.
  • TMR: assisted with land issues arising from the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project including State land and access leases for early works and land acquisition and compensation claims for each stage of the project.
  • Brisbane City Council: advised on the acquisition of land owned by the State of Queensland for the development of the Dockside ferry terminal.
  • Transport projects: assisted in every busway project in South East Queensland, including in relation to tenure issues, early access, delegations, statutory compensation, disability discrimination, easement issues to project busway infrastructure and road closure issues.
Insights
Protecting decisions from human rights challenges in Queensland – getting the balance right
22 May 2023 | Article
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Media Release: Clayton Utz captures two 'Law Firm of the Year' awards in The Best Lawyers in Australia 2024 edition
20 Apr 2023 | Media Release
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The Hamelech judicial review decision: What does it mean for Queensland constructing authorities?
9 Jun 2022 | Article
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A lesson on costs in Queensland's Land Court: take note or risk having salt rubbed into your wounds
9 Dec 2021 | Article
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Calderbank Offers - how to make sure the pen is mightier than the sword
24 Jun 2021 | Article
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Majority rules! Parliament acts to make Indigenous land use agreements viable again
14 Jun 2017 | Article
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Legislative fix for McGlade native title decision to confirm ILUAs due this week
14 Feb 2017 | Article
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