Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Process - Part 2

Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Process - Part 2

What happens if you get a STOP result from your due diligence search?

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Now we are going to look at another project. Bob is planning the redevelopment of land near a beach.

Due diligence search findings

Image of Bob in an office with computers in the background

Bob’s due diligence search has returned a STOP result. There may be Aboriginal heritage in the area. This means an Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review is needed.

Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Process

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The diagram below indicates which stage Bob is at in the assessment process.

assessment flowchart part 2

Desktop Review process

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Bob needs to thoroughly explore options for the redevelopment of the land. Bob must provide Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania with the following information:

  1. a completed Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review describing the proposed activity;
  2. an aerial map or shapefile showing the footprint of the proposed activity, technical plans and photographs where applicable; and
  3. evidence of the area’s land use history or prior land disturbance work, if it is available.

Image of an office with a Desktop review in process and Bob in the background

Bob’s proposal can only be assessed once he submits the required information. The amount of documentation required may depend on the size of the development. If necessary, Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania will ask for more information.


The completed Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review and information can be emailed to aboriginal@heritage.tas.gov.au

The Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review will provide advice on whether Bob’s proposed activity may, or is likely to, impact Aboriginal heritage.

When assessing an Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review, Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania considers:

  • the location, nature and scale of the proposed activity;
  • known and potential Aboriginal heritage near the proposed activity;
  • the broader environment and landscape characteristics;
  • previous land use and ground disturbance; and
  • previous Aboriginal Heritage Assessments undertaken in the area.

Diagram of the factors influencing the Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review result

An Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Review can result in the following outcomes:

Desktop Review result options: No Assessment required, Assessment required, or Permit required

Image of Bob at the beach with a document in his hand

No assessment advised

If no further assessment is advised, it means there is a low potential for Aboriginal heritage to be impacted by the proposed activity.

Bob will be issued with an Unanticipated Discovery Plan and may proceed carefully, building the result into discussions about planning or design.

Assessment advised

If further assessment is advised, it means that Aboriginal heritage is present, or is likely to be present in the area.


Bob will be advised about engaging an archaeologist and/or an Aboriginal Heritage Officer to conduct an on-ground assessment. Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania provides a list of Aboriginal heritage consultants. In preparing their report the consultants will contact Aboriginal organisations to inform them about the proposed activity and to seek their advice about Aboriginal heritage in the area.

Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report

Following their assessment, the Aboriginal heritage consultant will produce an Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report. The report will identify any potential impacts to Aboriginal heritage requiring a permit and any mitigation options that could be implemented.

Image of Bob talking with an advisor

Image of Bob in a meeting with others

Permit required

If a permit is required, it means Aboriginal heritage will be impacted by the proposed activity. Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975, the proposed activity may only commence if a permit has been granted by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania can provide guidance and information in regards to permit applications and any other considerations.

It is recommended you discuss your permit application with Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania before you submit it.

Mitigation options

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- [Narrator] Bob was advisedby Aboriginal Heritage Tasmaniato engage a consultant for an on-ground assessment.Aboriginal heritage was found within the activity areaand the consultant has presented Bobwith the following mitigation options.Some examples of mitigation options might includeshifting the alignment of a track, foot path or roador altering the shape or locationof a building to avoid a site.Mitigation options might also include altering the designto lessen the total impact, such as placing the buildingon stilts or pylons, rather than laying a concrete slab.It is preferred that any impactto Aboriginal heritage is avoided.Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania will discuss optionswith you to avoid or mitigate impacting Aboriginal heritage.
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