Who We've Worked With
Evaluating how proposed activities affect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Developing plans to safeguard cultural heritage before, during, and after the activity.
Conducting both initial desktop research and detailed archaeological field evaluations.
Working with RAP to ensure alignment with cultural heritage protection requirements.
Utilising in-house experts and industry-standard methods to complete all aspects of the CHMP.
Understanding Cultural Heritage Management Plans
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is a written report prepared by a Heritage Advisor. It includes the results of an assessment of the potential impact of an activity on an area of cultural sensitivity. They are required when the proposed development is a high impact activity in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity to minimise harm.
It includes the results of an assessment of the potential impact of a proposed activity on Aboriginal cultural heritage. Outlines measures to be taken before, during, and after an activity to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area. A CHMP is compulsory when there is ground disturbance in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity. It is the main report, encompassing a desktop assessment along with standard and complex archaeological assessments. These are completed following best practice methods, with consideration to the area impacted by the project and in agreement with the Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP). All elements of a CHMP can be done in-house at Archaeological Excavation Pty Ltd by our experienced team.
CHMP’s are compulsory when there is ground disturbance in an area of cultural sensitivity. It is the main report, encompassing a desktop assessment along with standard and complex archaeological assessments. These are completed following best practice methods, with consideration to the area impacted by the project and in agreement with the Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP).
All elements of a CHMP can be done in-house at Archaeological Excavation Pty Ltd by our experienced team.
Discover how we create CHMP’s for your projects.
Utilising Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMP) helps protect and honour Aboriginal cultural heritage. Our expert assessments offer clear insights and support, guiding your projects while encouraging thoughtful, sustainable development.
These advantages make CHMP an essential part of responsible land use and development in areas with significant cultural heritage.
CHMPs ensure that Aboriginal cultural heritage sites and artifacts are preserved and protected during land development or construction projects, preventing damage or destruction.
CHMPs help developers and land managers meet their legal obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, avoiding penalties and delays in project approval.
CHMPs require engagement and consultation with Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), fostering collaboration with the traditional custodians of the land and respecting cultural practices.
By conducting thorough assessments (Desktop, Standard, Complex), CHMPs provide a comprehensive understanding of cultural heritage within an area, aiding in responsible planning and development decisions.
Early identification and protection of cultural heritage through CHMPs reduce the risk of conflicts or disputes arising during construction projects, ensuring smoother project execution.
CHMPs promote sustainable development practices by balancing economic growth with the preservation of valuable cultural resources.
Demonstrating respect and consideration for cultural heritage can enhance relationships with Indigenous communities and the wider public, building goodwill and social responsibility.
Expert consultants in Cultual Heritage Plans & 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.
The project involved an inland port at Lyndhurst as proposed by Salta Properties. The development would bring freight from Melbourne Harbour by rail to Lyndhurst where it would then be dispatched to trucks. The project aims to solve the issue of inner-city traffic congestion and provide greater opportunities for imports and exports in the southeast of Melbourne as it provides an alternative to road-based container transfer.
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A Cultural heritage management plan is required when a high impact activity is planned in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity as defined in the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 and Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 .
In these circumstances a CHMP must be approved before planning permits, licenses and work authorities will be issued.
All areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are include: registered aboriginal cultural heritage places, landforms, and land categories that are generally regarded as likely to contain aboriginal cultural heritage.
These areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are shown in an online map available on the First Peoples Relations Vic Government website. They also have an Aboriginal Heritage Regulations Planning tool to help determine if your proposed development falls under the definition of high impact activity and will require a Cultural heritage management plan.
A person may also voluntarily prepare a CHMP even if the plan is not required under the act to ensure no delays in the case of Aboriginal material being uncovered during your development.
In order to prepare a CHMP, a Notice of Intention must be given to each relevant Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP), to the Secretary and to the occupier of any land within the area to which the plan relates. The RAPs may elect to evaluate the plan.
CHMP at the minimum, must consist of a Desktop Assessment. This includes research into information relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area or associated with it. The research must include the identification and determination of the geographic region surrounding the activity area. Within the geographic region, a search of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register (VAHR) for details of Aboriginal places in order to review reports and published work about Aboriginal cultural heritage, along with reviews of the landforms or geomorphology and the historical and ethno-historical account of Aboriginal occupation. Also included in the plans is a review of the land use history of the activity area and its surrounds.
If the results of the Desktop Assessment demonstrate that it is reasonably possible that Aboriginal cultural heritage is present within the activity area, then a Standard Assessment is undertaken. This step must include a ground survey of all or part of the activity area, with ground examination of the surface of the activity area, any mature indigenous trees, and any cave, rock shelter or cave entrance.
The Complex Assessment is required if the Desktop and Standard Assessment show that Aboriginal cultural heritage is present or is likely to be present in the activity area and it is not possible to identify the extent, nature, and significance of the Aboriginal cultural heritage unless Complex Assessment is carried out. The Assessment involves the disturbance/excavation of all or part of the activity area in order to uncover or discover Aboriginal cultural heritage. This must be supervised by a person appropriately qualified in archaeology. The method used for excavating is discussed and agreed upon with the Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), who must be consulted before beginning the assessment and during the preparation of the plan.
The sponsor (the person who is seeking to undertake the activity) of a cultural heritage management plan must engage a heritage advisor to assist in the preparation of the plan. The cultural heritage advisor must be appropriately qualified in a discipline directly relevant to the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage and have experience and knowledge in relation to the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Our team includes highly skilled anthropologists, archaeologists, spatial data specialists, and heritage advisors to provide professional heritage approval advice. Our combined multi-disciplinary team’s extensive national and international experience ensures all stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, corporate clients, and industry bodies, are represented to the highest degree, and all outputs comply with all relevant legislation
Costs varies based on the project size and the exact elements included in the process. Get in touch with our team and we will be able to discuss with you based on the requirements of your project.
Along with costs to the cultural heritage advisor, fees are paid to the RAP or First Peoples – State Relations if a RAP has not been appointed for the area in which the activity area resides.
All elements can be completed in-house by the team at Archaeological Excavations. This allows the CHMP process to be completed in a timely manner.
As one of the few consultancies with large earthmoving and sieving equipment, Archaeological Excavations is the most time-efficient salvage consultancy in the industry.
Amendments to a CHMP can be amended within 5 years of when they were approved. The application must be made in the prescribed form and accompanied by the prescribed fee. The proposed amendments should be presented clearly in the plan, with any reductions or visible plainly visible.
The CHMP will establish the management conditions for the Aboriginal cultural heritage present within the activity area. The CHMP conditions vary according to:
Get in touch with our Heritage Advisor team today!
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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