Cultural Heritage Management Plan
When is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan required?
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) delivers a comprehensive assessment of cultural heritage values in the project area and outlines how to manage or protect these values during development. It provides clear recommendations to ensure compliance with legal requirements and respectful treatment of Aboriginal heritage.
A CHMP is mandatory when:
- The proposed activity is a high impact activity, as defined in the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 (e.g. subdivisions, infrastructure works, industrial developments); and
- The activity is located in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity — as defined under the regulations.
These two criteria must be met together for a CHMP to be legally required. However, a voluntary CHMP can also be prepared where there is a desire to engage Traditional Owners early and reduce future risk or uncertainty.
Why is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan important for your project?
Planning permits, work authority applications, and other statutory approvals cannot be issued until the CHMP is approved—making early assessment critical to project timelines.
Failure to complete a required CHMP can result in:
- Planning permit refusal or delays
- Stop-work orders
- Financial penalties
- Legal proceedings for unauthorised harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage