Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMP)

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is a written report, prepared by a Heritage Advisor. It contains the results of an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed activity on Aboriginal cultural heritage. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is required for an activity (the development or use of land) if all or part of the activity is a high impact activity and all or part of the activity area is an area of cultural heritage sensitivity.

It outlines measures to be taken before, during and after an activity to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area. A CHMP determines how the proposed activity can be carried out while avoiding harm to any Aboriginal cultural heritage present. If this is not possible, it considers how to conduct the activity in a way that minimises harm.

The need for a CHMP

Certain developments and other high impact activities in Victoria especially in culturally sensitive landscapes can cause significant harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage.

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is a way of protecting and managing Aboriginal cultural heritage, with the involvement of Registered Aboriginal Parties, while allowing development to proceed.

Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 a Cultural Heritage Management Plan is required if all or part of the proposed high impact activity is in an area of culture heritage sensitivity. CHMPs need to be created according to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, which provides guidelines on how places and objects found should be recorded, protected and managed.

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.

CHMPs need to be created according to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, which provides guidelines on how places and objects found should be recorded, protected, and managed.

Your development may be required to complete a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) to gain a permit application for your project if it is a:

  • Development that requires an Environment Effects Statement.
  • Larger scale residential or industrial subdivision on areas of cultural heritage sensitivity, which have not previously been significantly disturbed.
  • Substantial infrastructure or resource development project on areas of cultural heritage sensitivity, which have not previously been significantly disturbed.

Other circumstances may also attract a CHMP according to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

The PAHT was an amendment to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 that came into effect from 1 August 2016. It provides more certainty about whether a CHMP is required for a project.

Other amendments proposed

  • Removing the requirement for a CHMP for certain small developments in urban areas.
  • A ‘stop the clock’ mechanism for CHMP’s
  • The ability to amend Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) after approval
  • Greater powers have been granted to RAPs with a new ability to approve cultural heritage permits and act as enforcement officers
  • Recognition of marginalised traditional owners with the state allocating resourcing to assisting proponents in consultation when there is no RAP for a
    project area
  • First Peoples -State Relations (formerly AV) has instituted a new compliance unit in response to compliance issues which have been identified.
  • New fees introduced to support the administration of the Act.

A CHMP will identify whether your project will affect any Aboriginal heritage places or objects. You’ll get a CHMP report with a full assessment and recommendations on how to manage your impact – before, during, and after your project.

We offer several options which can be tailored into a package depending on your project needs:

  1. Research: includes investigation of
    • Past Cultural Heritage Management Plans for the area
    • Areas of cultural heritage sensitivity
    • Geological and environmental background
    • Vegetation
    • Previous land use and existing conditions of the activity area
    • Historic and current maps, including heritage overlay maps
    • Historic Aerial Photography
  2. Standard Assessment Archaeological Site Surveys
  3. Complex Assessment (Archaeological Excavation)
  4. Cultural Heritage Management report

You can expect us to take the lead from start to finish – we’ll also prompt you to fill in the right application forms at the appropriate times during the process.

Our fees are known to be very competitive in the industry and we provide cost-effective heritage services.

  • Report
  • Mapping
  • Consultation with you and Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs)
  • Excavation and resources required.

It differs according to your project. We’ll provide you with an estimate soon after our initial free consultation.