Due Diligence Studies
Land owners in Victoria proposing development activities on their property have legal obligations to ensure they do not harm cultural heritage, as per the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2006 (Vic) & Heritage Act 2017 (Vic). One of the most efficient ways to discharge this obligation is by having your land professionally assessed. Compass’s wealth of experience positions us to provide rigorous cultural heritage assessments.
Compass undertakes both desktop and on-site due diligence consistent with the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007 & Heritage Act 2017. This is a fast and often invaluable service we can provide. Compass uses a combination of high-resolution satellite imagery, historic aerial photography, historic research, council records research and landowner consultation to obtain all the necessary information about a property. A due diligence study may negate any further obligations for a development project with regards to heritage matters.
Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test
The Preliminary Aboriginal Heritage Test (PAHT) provides sponsors with certainty about whether a cultural heritage management plan (CHMP) is required for a proposed activity. The PAHT is a voluntary process, which allows for the Secretary to the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Secretary) to certify whether a CHMP is required for a proposed activity.
Cultural Heritage Management Plans
Compass manages all facets of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP), including stakeholder consultation, conservation considerations, geomorphic assessments, subsurface testing, sampling and analysis. The Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007 state that a CHMP is mandatory in Victoria if a proposed activity lies within a specified area of Cultural Heritage sensitivity and is a High Impact Activity.
Compass specialisations include GIS mapping, stone tool technology, faunal, legislative, curatorial and ethnographic research. This expertise allows us to comprehensively manage all aspects of cultural heritage with regards to any type of development project. The director of Compass has excellent working relationships with Aboriginal groups throughout Australia.
Historic Heritage
As per the Heritage Act 2017 (Vic) a land owner who is proposing a development activity may require a Permit and/or Consent in order to proceed. This potentially can require the assessment and management of historical archaeological or architectural features within a proposed development area.
In order to achieve the appropriate management of historic heritage Compass utilises a systematic and multi-disciplinary approach. We undertake historical research, comprehensive archaeological test excavations, conservation management plans while utilising detailed archaeological recording practices.