Early Engagement Meetings

This is a proactive early step to help proponents with developments. TLaWC’s RAP team can help mitigate and avoid damage to the archaeological record through these meetings. This is a mutually beneficial step that protects Taungurung cultural heritage and provides ways to streamline the CHMP process.

We have two products from this meeting:

1.  Statement of engagement –
2. Letter of Advice – detailed report on the natural and cultural heritage and section 61 matters

What can an Early Engagement meeting not do?

1. We cannot consult on Reconciliation Action Plans
2. We cannot consult on anything other than helping to provide early advice on the CHMP process

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Cultural Heritage Management Plan 

A CHMP is a collaboration between the TLaWC and the Proponent/Heritage Advisor, which aims to prevent or reduce harm to Cultural Heritage during development works. 

In accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 a CHMP would be triggered when: 

1. The activity is listed as a High Impact Activity under the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018.
2. The activity area, or part of the activity area is listed as an area of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Sensitivity.

When your development on Taungurung Country triggers a CHMP it is advised that you engage with a Heritage Officer, a list of which you can access HERE. Your Heritage Advisor will then guide you through the process of officially engaging with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council. 

 

Cultural Heritage Permit 

A CHP is a collaboration between TLaWC and the Proponent/Heritage Advisor, which aims to prevent or reduce harm to Cultural Heritage during development works. 

The permit is a statutory requirement under 35A of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 for when there is known heritage in the area where works are to occur or to do work on known heritage.  

Section 36 of the act states: 

1. A person may apply to an approval body for a cultural heritage permit authorising the person to do one or more of the following—
   (a) disturb or excavate any land for the purpose of uncovering or discovering Aboriginal cultural heritage;(b) carry out research on an Aboriginal place or Aboriginal object, including the removal of an Aboriginal object from Victoria for the purposes of that research;
   (c) carry out an activity that will, or is likely to, harm Aboriginal cultural heritage;
   (d) sell an Aboriginal object;
   (e) remove an Aboriginal object from Victoria;
   (f) rehabilitate land at an Aboriginal place, including land containing burial grounds for Aboriginal ancestral remains;
   (g) inter Aboriginal ancestral remains at an Aboriginal place. 

When your development on Taungurung Country triggers a CHP it is advised that you engage with a Heritage Officer, a list of which you can access HERE. Your Heritage Advisor will then guide you through the process of officially engaging with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council.