Sydney, Australia

Damien Barnes

Damien is the owner, founder and Managing Director of YIMBA. YIMBA provides legal, commercial management and consulting services.

Damien has extensive experience in law, commercial management and engineering, providing advice on; infrastructure, construction, transport, mining, energy, resources, renewables, property, environment, planning, Indigenous Business, land access, native title, land claims, cultural heritage, RAPs, ESG, FPIC and dispute resolution.

Damien’s employment experience includes; King & Wood Mallesons, DLA Piper, UGL, CB&I, O’Donnell Griffin, Power Minerals, NTSCorp and local and state government. He has an Executive MBA, a Law Degree, a Civil Engineering Degree and a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Leadership. He is also an accredited mediator.

YIMBA is 100% Indigenous owned, managed and controlled by Damien, who is a proud Bidjara man from the Carnarvon Ranges in Central QLD with family connections to Woorabinda.

Damien's professional experience includes:

  • Brisbane Cross River Rail PPP
  • New South Wales New Intercity Rail Fleet PPP
  • Sydney Metro City Southwest PPP
  • NorthWest Rail Link
  • Transport for NSW Digital Trains & Radio Systems
  • S.A. Dept. Infrastructure & Transport & Torrens Connect Bus & Light Rail
  • White Rock Solar Farm
  • Woodside Browse LNG EPCM Project
  • Laos Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Power Project
  • Legacy Way Tunnel Alliance Agreement
  • Bannerton and Collinsville Solar Farm Disputes
  • Conservatorium of Music, Banabelle, Fugen & Autofire v NSW, NSW Supreme Court Litigation
  • Nguluway DesignInc Indigenous Business Joint Venture
  • Naree Indigenous Business Joint Venture
  • Creation of the Australian Indigenous Football Council and State and Territory equivalents
  • Maori and Australian Indigenous Football Council Football Treaty
  • Redfern Aboriginal Alliance
  • Tjalukana Exploration Deed between APY Lands and NiCul Minerals Limited
  • Gumbaynggirr ILUA and Warrell Creek Part 4A Lease
  • Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Home Ownership Scheme
  • Byron Bay Arakwal Indigenous Land Use Agreement and Section 31 Future Act Compensation Agreement

Damien’s current Board and Committee roles include:

  • Director SEC Victoria
  • Co-Chair of Supply Nation
  • Chair of the Aboriginal Housing Office NSW
  • Chair of Westpac’s Indigenous Advisory Committee
  • Member of Westpac’s Stakeholder Advisory Council
  • Australian Representative on the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement

He has been a Director of The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), Bangarra Dance Theatre, the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, a Member of the NSW Law Society Indigenous Issues Committee and a founding Member of Ngalaya Indigenous Lawyers Association.