Why Choose Archaeological Excavation’s for Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Testing?
Our organisation offers Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Tests (PAHT) to assess the potential for ground disturbance and cultural significance levels of a site. A PAHT should be completed where uncertainty exists to ascertain whether a CHMP is required. The PAHT ensures that proposed activities respect the site’s cultural heritage and significance and is a valuable tool for organisations seeking to engage in activities that may impact such sites.
Commonly asked Questions about Aboriginal Heritage Tests (PAHTs)
When should a Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHTs) be undertaken?
A PAHT should be done to ascertain whether a CHMP is needed. A PAHT can show that the previous ground disturbance has eliminated the cultural sensitivity of the area, thereby removing the trigger for a mandatory CHMP.
What is included in the PAHT?
- Land owner or occupant of the activity area details
- a description of the activity area and map
- a description of the activity (whether is high impact activity and how will or will not cause significant ground disturbance)
- background assessment including description of geographic region, landforms and geomorphology, a ground inspection if undertaken
- description of any Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area
- any consultation undertaken with the relevant Registered Aboriginal Parties or Traditional Owner groups
- description of evidence of significant ground disturbance/land use history
**In accordance with Aboriginal Heritage Act (2006), Aboriginal Heritage Regulations (2018)
Who can prepare a PAHT?
Anyone can prepare a PAHT, but they must involve a heritage advisor for access to Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register (VAHR). There are four certified heritage advisors here at Archaeological Excavations, and all other research aspects of the PAHT can be completed in-house.
Projects
Below is some information on projects Archaeological Excavations has worked on
Ballarat 2018
The salvage program in Winter Valley was sponsored ahead of the construction of a retirement village complex, Winter Valley Lifestyle Village.
Lyndhurst
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
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.
