Cultural Heritage in Construction

"Aboriginal Cultural Heritage refers to the knowledge and lore, practices and people, objects and places that are valued, culturally meaningful and connected to identity and Country." [www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au]

Introduction

Cultural heritage management is an important issue in the planning, construction and maintenance phases of major infrastructure projects in Australia.?Below is a brief outline of some of the key components in the planning phase when it comes to cultural heritage management.

Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs)

What is a CHMP?

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is a written report prepared by a Heritage Advisor. It contains results of an assessment of the potential impact of a proposed activity on Aboriginal cultural heritage. It outlines measures to be taken before, during and after an activity in order to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area.

When is a CHMP required?

A CHMP is required when high impact activities are planned in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, as defined by the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007.

In such an area, planning permits, licences and work authorities can't be issued unless a CHMP has been approved for the activity.

Areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are registered Aboriginal cultural heritage places, as well as landforms and land categories that are generally regarded as more likely to contain Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Obtaining a CHMP

If the proposed development is a high impact activity a Heritage Adviser will need to prepare the CHMP on your behalf.

As well as the costs of the adviser, fees are paid to the organisation who approves the CHMP (the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for the area or Aboriginal Victoria if none exists).

Cultural Heritage Permit

When is a Cultural Heritage Permit required?

You need to apply for a Cultural Heritage Permit if you are planning to:

• disturb or excavate land to uncover or discover Aboriginal cultural heritage
• rehabilitate land at an Aboriginal place
• interrupt Aboriginal ancestral remains at an Aboriginal place
• carry out research on an Aboriginal place
• carry out an activity that will, or is likely to, harm Aboriginal cultural heritage
• sell an Aboriginal object (where it was not made for the purpose of sale)
• remove an Aboriginal cultural heritage object from Victoria.