Cultural Heritage Management Plan
When is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan required?
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is a comprehensive assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage values within a project area, prepared under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. It identifies what cultural heritage exists or may exist within an area, assesses how proposed works may affect those values, and sets out the management conditions required before, during, and after works. Planning permits, work authorities, and other statutory approvals cannot be issued until a required CHMP is approved.
Strata Heritage prepares CHMPs for developers, planners, builders, infrastructure providers, and councils across Gippsland, Melbourne, and regional Victoria.
A CHMP is mandatory when two criteria are both met. First, the proposed activity must be a high impact activity under the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018, such as subdivision, construction requiring excavation, road works, or installation of underground infrastructure. Second, the activity must be located within an area of cultural heritage sensitivity. If you are unsure whether both criteria apply to your project, a due diligence assessment or Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHT) can clarify your obligations before you commit to the full process.
A voluntary CHMP can also be prepared where a proponent wishes to engage Traditional Owners early, reduce future risk, or demonstrate a higher standard of cultural heritage stewardship than the legislation strictly requires.
Further detail on triggers, costs, and timelines is available in our Understanding CHMPs guide.
Why is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan important for your project?
Completing a required CHMP early in the project lifecycle is one of the most effective ways to protect your programme and avoid costly delays. Because planning permits and work authorities cannot be issued until a CHMP is approved, a late start on the CHMP process can delay an entire development timeline by months.
Failure to complete a required CHMP — or commencing works before approval is granted — can result in:
- Planning permit refusal or significant delays to the approvals process
- Stop-work orders issued by the relevant authority
- Financial penalties under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
- Legal proceedings for unauthorised harm to an Aboriginal place or object
Engaging Strata Heritage early means the CHMP process can run in parallel with other project planning activities rather than becoming a critical path item that holds everything else up.
Glossary and Resources
Understanding Aboriginal heritage legislation and the approvals process can be complex. The following resources have been prepared by Strata Heritage to help landowners, developers, planners, and councils navigate their cultural heritage obligations in Victoria.
Understanding Cultural Heritage Management Plans
A detailed guide to CHMP triggers, costs, timelines, and the approvals process under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. Essential reading if you have been told you need a CHMP or are unsure whether one applies to your project.
Understanding Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Tests (PAHT)
If you are unsure whether a CHMP is required, a PAHT may provide a faster pathway to certainty. This guide explains when a PAHT can be used and how to prepare a strong application.
Cultural Heritage Glossary
A plain language guide to the key terms used in Aboriginal cultural heritage management in Victoria, including definitions drawn from the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018.