Niche launches Indigenous Engagement Advisory service

July 20, 2026

Media Centre, News & Insights

Leading environment and heritage consultancy Niche has introduced an Indigenous Engagement Advisory service and appointed experienced practitioner Brett Mackie as Practice Lead.

Building on Niche’s recognition as a trusted cultural heritage advisor, the new service offering will support both proponents and Indigenous groups seeking respectful, effective, and outcomes‑focused engagement.

Indigenous Engagement Practice Lead Brett Mackie brings 30 years of experience to Niche from roles in the resources and not-for-profit sectors, delivering meaningful engagement strategies, successful agreement making and sustainable implementation programs.

Brett Mackie, Practice Lead – Indigenous Engagement

Mr Mackie believes there is an opportunity to set a new standard for engagement between companies and Indigenous stakeholders.

“Organisations across Australia face increasing expectations to move beyond compliance to meaningful engagement with Indigenous groups. This is driving a much-needed shift in how corporates work with community but also creates complexity for Traditional Owners and First Nations groups navigating these emerging commercial scenarios. The potential for positive outcomes can easily be lost in the complexity of these situations, especially if there is a lack of shared purpose and transparency,” said Mr Mackie.

“Our expertise is in bridging the gap between community, legal and commercial perspectives with practical, relationship‑centred advice. We have an important opportunity to support proponents and Indigenous groups to help create durable relationships and genuine outcomes for all parties.”

Managing Director Ian Rollins highlights Niche’s strong position as a trusted advisor for nationally significant projects on both environmental and heritage issues.

“We have a track record of supporting our clients to deliver critical infrastructure, resources and energy transition development while balancing impacts on nature and respect for our heritage. Adding such a highly respected expert to our team with Brett and launching this new offering under his leadership is an evolution of our cultural heritage management expertise and builds on our strong relationships with Indigenous groups across the east coast of Australia.”

“We also see valuable opportunities to incorporate Indigenous Engagement Advisory into our ecology and natural capital work – from impact assessment and biodiversity offsets, to emerging nature and carbon markets, to on-ground land restoration. Collaborating with community to achieve positive social outcomes alongside environmental gains is key to creating a truly sustainable future.”

Niche’s Indigenous Engagement Advisory will support proponents, Indigenous groups and joint processes with services such as facilitation, negotiation, agreement-making, strategy and training.

Niche has been providing heritage management services since 2009, including cultural heritage management, archaeology and heritage planning and advice.

In 2025, Niche became a key delivery partner of the ARC Training Centre for Advancing Archaeology in the Resources Sector, a cross-sector program that aims to address the under-representation of Traditional Owners working in the cultural heritage management industry.