Due Diligence
When is Cultural Heritage Advice required?
In Victoria, any land use or development proposal that may disturb the ground surface must consider potential impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage. This obligation arises from the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic), which establishes a framework for recognising, protecting and managing Aboriginal cultural heritage in the state.
Victoria’s Planning Policy Framework (Clause 15.03-2S) requires planning authorities to "identify, assess and document places of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance" and to consult with Traditional Owners as part of the decision-making process.
To meet these obligations, a Cultural Heritage Due Diligence Assessment provides a structured evaluation of whether a proposed activity may harm Aboriginal cultural heritage, and if so, what steps must be taken to manage that risk. Strata Heritage prepares Due Diligence Assessments for developers, planners, builders, councils, and private landowners across Gippsland, Melbourne, and regional Victoria.
Why is a Cultural Heritage Advice important for your project?
A Due Diligence Assessment helps you understand your legal position before committing to the full approvals process. It can assist in determining whether a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is mandatory for your project, identifying known or likely Aboriginal places registered on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register, assessing site-specific landscape features that indicate potential for unregistered cultural heritage, and understanding the obligations that apply before works can proceed.
A well-prepared Due Diligence Assessment also supports Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHT) applications where there is a case that a CHMP is not required, and provides the documentary foundation for engaging Registered Aboriginal Parties and Traditional Owners as rights-holders in the planning process.
Getting this advice early reduces the risk of unexpected heritage obligations arising mid-project and helps ensure planning applications are supported by the right documentation from the outset.
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.
Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Tests (PAHT) Guide
This guide explains what a PAHT is, when it can be used, and how to prepare a strong application. A useful starting point if you are uncertain whether your project requires a CHMP.
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.