Desktop survey

A Desktop Survey will identify any known or potential Aboriginal heritage issues that may affect a proposed development. This will inform what additional research and/or consultation is needed to meet the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. This also establishes whether any relevant Aboriginal heritage surveys have previously been undertaken as well as Aboriginal sites and key Aboriginal organisations, groups, and individuals who should be notified of the intent to develop in a proposed project area.

Work program clearance survey

This survey is used when the proponent wants to ensure that a particular ground-disturbing activity, such as a single drill hole, is cleared of any Aboriginal heritage values. You will need to provide exact GPS coordinates, a map of proposed work site and a description of the work itself. No Aboriginal heritage information is provided using this method and the report cannot be used in a Section 18 Notice under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

Work area clearance survey

This survey is used when the proponent wants to ensure that multiple ground-disturbing activities, such as the construction of an access track and a drill hole, is cleared of any Aboriginal heritage values. You will need to provide exact GPS coordinates, a map of proposed work site and a description of the work itself. No Aboriginal heritage information is provided using this method and the report cannot be used in a Section 18 Notice under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

Site avoidance survey

A Site Avoidance survey is best used when the proponent is more certain about the future use of the proposed development and wants to ensure that the spatial boundaries of any Aboriginal sites in the area are clearly defined. It's more time/cost intensive and allows for Aboriginal people to spatially define an Aboriginal site, but does not allow for detailed recording. The proponent will need to provide exact GPS coordinates of the proposed development site, a map and a description of the proposed works. Limited Aboriginal heritage information is recorded and is provided to the developer, but the resultant report cannot be used in a Section 18 Notice under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

Site identification survey

This survey occurs when the proponent is certain about the future use of the proposed development and wants to ensure that the spatial boundary and archaeological and cultural significance of any Aboriginal sites within the area are clearly defined and recorded. This process is more time/cost intensive and allows for Aboriginal people to spatially define an Aboriginal site as well as its scientific and cultural significance to Aboriginal people. You will need to provide exact GPS coordinates of the proposed development site, a map and a description of the proposed works. All relevant Aboriginal heritage information is recorded and is provided to the proponent using this methodology. The resultant report is designed to meet the necessary standards be used in a Section 18 Notice under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. Please note, in addition to this survey a cultural significance assessment will also be required as part of your Section 18 Notice lodgement.

Cultural significance assessment

This assessment needs to occur as part of an Aboriginal heritage survey using a Site Identification methodology. The Department of Indigenous Affairs requires information on the scientific and cultural significance of an Aboriginal site to Aboriginal people to enable them to make a determination under Section 39 and 5 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, as a part of any Section 18 Notice lodged by the proponent. A Cultural significance assessment may be filmed to ensure that the process is transparent and that the views of Aboriginal people and the visual amenity of the Aboriginal site are captured for posterity.

For all cultural heritage management guidance please contact our Heritage Department on (08) 9182 1351.