Proposal Nineteen

“People are using due diligence to make sure that the Traditional Owners aren’t asked whether that particular part of Country is important. It just sounds dodgy doesn’t it? Why not even ask?”

Issue

RAPs have reported harm to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage caused by activities undertaken without a CHMP first being conducted, as a result of advice given from a due diligence assessment.

Background

Due diligence assessments are advisory assessments undertaken by HAs. These assessments quantify the risk about a defined situation or recognisable hazard in relation to Cultural Heritage and are not regulated under the Act. Due diligence assessments are intended to establish a Sponsor’s legislative requirements for a proposed activity, such as whether a CHMP is required for that activity. However, they are usually made without consulting the relevant RAP. This means that RAPs can often be completely unaware that an assessment has been undertaken for a proposed activity.

Additionally, HAs are not required to consult with RAPs in the preparation of a PAHT, which is a formalised mechanism for determining whether a proposed activity requires the preparation of a CHMP.

Proposal

That the Act be amended to require that all building and construction related planning applications include RAP or Traditional Owner consultation. This would require Heritage Advisors seek participation and input from RAPs in the preparation of a PAHT, as with a CHMP.

Additionally, the Act would also be amended to require a PAHT to be undertaken if a planning application does not trigger a CHMP.

This would not only offer RAPs an opportunity to provide input and guidance as to the whether an activity requires a CHMP but would also offer an opportunity for RAPs to draft conditions for inclusion within the PAHT. These conditions could include provisions for RAPs to undertake compliance inspections they may deem necessary during the proposed activity.

If a mandatory CHMP is required and a Sponsor is seeking to undertake a due diligence assessment, provisions within the Act should be amended to ensure this due diligence assessment is undertaken as a PAHT, and includes RAP/Traditional Owner consultation and/or participation.

Consideration

The current due diligence mechanism accepted by approving bodies, disempowers RAP’s and Traditional Owners and is insufficient in adequately assessing the potential impact of a proposed activity on Cultural Heritage.

Section 49B of the Act also provides for PAHTs, which are a formalised mechanism for determining whether a proposed activity requires the preparation of a CHMP. Currently, Heritage Advisors are not required to consult with RAPs in the preparation of a PAHT.

The definition of SGD also impacts on this proposal. Some Sponsors have abused the provisions within the Regulations that state an area that has been subject to SGD is not an area of Cultural Heritage sensitivity and therefore not subject to a mandatory CHMP. This has been done through their employment of an HA to then undertake a due diligence assessment to defi ne this disturbance, which, as described previously, needs only to demonstrate disturbance to ‘the topsoil or surface rock layer of the ground’ in order to avoid undertaking a mandatory CHMP.

Additionally, these amendments would be extremely effective in mitigating the risk posed by construction activities to highly sensitive Cultural Heritage such as Ancestral Remains and intact Traditional burials.

Currently it is possible to undertake an activity that disturbs large volumes of previously undisturbed soil, in a locality known to have a high probability of Traditional burials, without a CHMP first being undertaken. This can be undertaken without the notification or involvement of the RAP or Traditional Owners because the activity itself is not considered a high-impact activity within the Regulations. If a proponent was required to undertake a PAHT before a planning permit is granted, measures could be put in place to mitigate this risk to Cultural Heritage.

These amendments would ensure that the Act provides a comprehensive system of Cultural Heritage protection throughout all the stages of any proposed activity.

Submission to the response to the proposal

“Evidence has shown that the current practice of relying on due diligence reports is undermining efforts to protect Aboriginal Cultural Heritage throughout the state. The reliance of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) on the expert testimony of Heritage Advisors, without any evaluation, has resulted in a corrupt system, where some practitioners are supplying due diligence reports that do not correlate with legislative requirements.”

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is the Registered Aboriginal Party for Wadawurrung country. With the statutory authority for the management of Aboriginal heritage values and culture, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act, 2006. Wadawurrung People are determined to see their unique cultural heritage protected and respected. Wadawurrung aims to restore Traditional knowledge and authority over the management of Wadawurrung Country for the betterment of those living on, prospering from and/or simply enjoying its land, waterways and coastal areas.

Community support for the proposal

This proposal received mostly supported or were not concerned with the proposal. However, one submission from the Heritage – Business sector explicitly did not support this amendment:

‘A due diligence tool remains an acceptable management tool for LGAs to make decisions on matters of Cultural Heritage.’