Consultation requirements
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation requirements for proponents
DECCW acknowledges and respects the rights of Aboriginal people to determine the cultural significance of their heritage. This document sets out the requirements for consulting with those Aboriginal people who can provide information about the significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage as part of the heritage assessment process that informs any application for an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP).
The purpose of this document is to establish the requirements for consultation with the registered Aboriginal parties as part of the heritage assessment process to determine potential impacts of proposed activities on Aboriginal cultural heritage and to inform decision making for any application for an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP).
All AHIP applicants are required by DECCW to undertake consultation with Aboriginal people who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the cultural significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places as relevant to the proposed project area in accordance with these Requirements.
DECCW recommends that these Requirements also be used where a proponent may be uncertain on whether or not their proposed activity may have the potential to harm Aboriginal objects or places and the proponent is required to undertake an cultural heritage assessment to establish the potential harm that their proposal may have on Aboriginal cultural heritage.
These requirements:
apply to all activities throughout New South Wales that have the potential to harm Aboriginal objects or places and that requires an AHIP;
replace the Interim Community Consultation Requirements for Applicants, December 2004; and
support other DECCW policies and procedures that provide direction and guidance for AHIP proponents in determining Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts.
The requirements apply to all applications lodged from the 12th April 2010.
Documents to download:
For more information that may assist you to understand the ACH Consultation Requirements please see the following fact sheets:
This DVD provides information on the consultation process along with hints and tips for Aboriginal people to get involved (10 minutes).
Page last updated: 26 February 2011
