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Understanding the importance of conducting a cultural heritage assessment
A Cultural Heritage Assessment is a report which speaks to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 and assesses the likelihood of Aboriginal cultural heritage being located within an area.
A cultural heritage assessment may take the form of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) or Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHT) and will provide recommendations before, during, and after the proposed activity to ensure the appropriate protection of any Aboriginal cultural heritage within an area.
Before getting a Cultural Heritage Assessment, it’s important to understand its purpose and process. Assessments help determine if a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is needed based on the location and impact of your development. A Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHT) may show that a CHMP isn’t required, saving you time and money. Only registered Heritage Advisors can perform these assessments, as they access critical records from the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register. Knowing these basics ensures compliance and helps you avoid potential delays in your project.
A Cultural Heritage Assessment or a PAHT may indicate that a CHMP is not required, despite it being mandatory under the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018. In these cases, undertaking a PAHT may be extremely beneficial from a cost and time perspective in order to mitigate the lengthy timeframes of the CHMP process.
If your proposed development is ‘high-impact’ and within an area of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity, it will generally indicate a CHMP is required. However, the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 stipulates that if this area has been previously impacted by significant ground disturbance, then a CHMP is not mandatory.
The PAHT will determine if significant ground disturbance has occurred and is evaluated on a state level, which provides additional confidence that a CHMP may not be needed.
A PAHT is undertaken by conducting a thorough assessment of the previous land use history within the activity area, which will determine if significant ground disturbance has occurred. It may also be useful for you to provide us with any oral narratives or documentation you have on the property, which may aid us in this process.
We will also search the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register (VAHR) for any information relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage within the activity area or surrounding region. This will aid in the PAHT process to frame the conclusion on whether a CHMP is or is not required.
Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, a registered Heritage Advisor must conduct this type of assessment in order to access the VAHR for information relating to the proposed development. The assessment can only be assessed if it has been prepared by a Heritage Advisor.
The PAHT may conclude that a CHMP is not required, saving you both time and money in relation to your proposed development. However, in some cases, the results of the PAHT may indicate that a CHMP is required, if the entire extent of the property has not been significantly disturbed.
Expert consultants in Cultual Heritage Assessments
Make sure your proposed development doesn’t disturb an area of Cultural heritage sensitivity.
Led by founder Adam Deane, who has been involved in archaeology since 2005, Archaeological Excavations combines decades of hands-on experience with a deep understanding of Australia’s Indigenous heritage.
The company has been part of significant excavations, including the discovery of ancient human artefacts dating back 35,000 years during the Lyndhurst project in Victoria, showcasing our ability to handle complex and historic finds.
Constantly pushing the boundaries of modern archaeology, Archaeological Excavations integrates cutting-edge technologies such as drone surveys, LiDAR, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and 3D photogrammetry to ensure precise and efficient results.
The team works closely with Indigenous communities, ensuring that projects are respectful and beneficial to both heritage preservation and local stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and ethical practices.
The company boasts a team of highly skilled archaeologists, anthropologists, GIS specialists, and operators who work together seamlessly, even on interstate projects, ensuring quality service across diverse areas.
Archaeological Excavations offers tailored heritage management solutions, meeting the complex legislative, methodological, and consultative requirements of Aboriginal and historical compliance across Australia.
With a clear vision to lead the industry, the company is dedicated to innovation and constantly seeks new methods and technologies to improve excavation processes and deliver superior outcomes to clients.
The company prides itself on its core values of respect, integrity, and open communication, ensuring transparency in all interactions. They also prioritize educating clients and communities about the importance of heritage preservation.
The salvage program in Winter Valley was sponsored ahead of the construction of a retirement village complex, Winter Valley Lifestyle Village.
Drysdale Bypass is Bellarine Peninsula’s biggest road infrastructure project. Running 6 km from Jetty Road to the north of Whitcombes Road, the project involved the construction of four new traffic lanes separated by a central median, along with the construction of intersections, roundabouts and traffic lights.
At Archaeological Excavations, we offer more than just CHMPs. Our team is here to support all your cultural and archaeological needs. We provide impact assessments, protection strategies, and thorough site investigations. Each service is designed to help preserve and protect important heritage sites.
You can count on us to deliver simple, effective solutions that meet both your project needs and regulatory requirements.
The excavation and collections of any cultural material located in archaeological sites that are to be impacted by development works.
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Cultural training undertaken before construction works. Repatriations occur once the archaeological excavation and artefact analysis is completed.
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Overviews of the archaeological sensitivity and potential sensitivity of an area that include the
survey of areas and the results of previous investigations.
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The location and recording of the values of cultural heritage places over an area that allow for effective heritage management.
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Fleet of heavy machinery, excavators, and mechanical sieves.
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Assess the potential for ground disturbance and cultural significance levels of a site.
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