Cultural Values Assessment
Considering a Cultural Values Assessment?
A Cultural Values Assessment (CVA) is a holistic, anthropologically-led assessment that identifies, documents, and evaluates the full range of cultural heritage values held by Traditional Owners in relation to a defined area of land or Country — including both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Where a standard archaeological assessment focuses on physical evidence, a CVA goes further, capturing the living connection between Traditional Owners and Country through on-country engagement, oral history documentation, and community-led cultural mapping.
Strata Heritage prepares Cultural Values Assessments across Gippsland, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, working collaboratively with Registered Aboriginal Parties and Traditional Owner groups to deliver assessments that are thorough, culturally respectful, and practically useful.
A CVA may be commissioned by:
- Local government and infrastructure agencies — for planning scheme amendments, zoning studies, and major project approvals
- Public land managers — for scoping or changing land-use arrangements in parks, reserves, or forests
- Catchment Management Authorities — for planning strategies involving waterways, wetlands, or catchments
- Developers and infrastructure providers — where a voluntary CVA is sought to demonstrate best practice cultural heritage stewardship
- Fisheries and coastal managers — for evaluating marine protected areas, aquaculture zones, or shoreline modifications
Why Commission a Cultural Values Assessment?
A Cultural Values Assessment delivers benefits that extend well beyond regulatory compliance. Commissioning a CVA supports your organisation to:
- Identify and document the full range of cultural heritage values held by Traditional Owners in relation to your project area, including intangible values that standard archaeological assessment cannot access
- Recognise opportunities to enhance cultural connections and build stronger, more productive relationships with Traditional Owner communities
- Support responsible stewardship of land and water through the meaningful integration of Traditional Owner knowledge and values into project planning
- Demonstrate genuine respect and integrity in planning, management, and compliance contexts — strengthening your social licence to operate
- Strengthen governance outcomes by ensuring decisions reflect both environmental and cultural responsibilities
- Identify and prevent social and cultural risks before they become costly disputes, delays, or redesigns
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.
Cultural Values Assessment Guide
An overview of Cultural Values Assessments, including when they are undertaken, what they involve, and how findings are used to protect and manage cultural heritage in the landscape.
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.
Understanding Cultural Heritage Management Plans
A Cultural Values Assessment is often commissioned alongside or following a CHMP. This page explains when a CHMP is required and what the process involves.