Due Diligence Heritage Assessments for Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

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Due Diligence Assessments / Heritage Desktop Assessments for Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

Aboriginal, Historical and Built Heritage Due Diligence Assessments / Desktop Assessments for Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for public works.

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Aboriginal Heritage Due diligence

The REF must identify whether or not Aboriginal cultural heritage is likely to be affected by the activity. The study area must extend as far as is reasonably necessary to take all potential impacts of the activity into account.

This section provides instructions for completing a section of a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) report, specifically related to Aboriginal heritage and culture. Let’s break down the requirements:

1. Ground Disturbance:
   • You must state whether the proposed activity will disturb the ground surface.
2. Aboriginal Places under National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974:
   • Identify how much the activity will affect land declared as an Aboriginal place under this act.
3. Land of Aboriginal Cultural Significance:
   • Define the impact of the proposed activity on land that’s recognized in environmental planning instruments (like state environmental planning policies or local environmental plans) as being of Aboriginal cultural significance.
4. Culturally Modified Trees:
   • Determine and report if there are any trees in the activity area that have been culturally modified.
5. AHIMS Database Search:
   • Provide copies of your search results from the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) database.
6. AHIMS Results for Recorded Aboriginal Objects:
   • If the AHIMS search shows that there are recorded Aboriginal objects in the proposed activity area, append these records to the REF. However, be aware of and respect any restrictions about sharing culturally sensitive information.
7. Other Sources of Information:
   • List and describe any other sources you’ve consulted to determine the presence or absence of Aboriginal objects and places in the area.
8. Location Factors:
   • This part requires the REF to specify if the proposed activity is:
     • Within 200 meters of waters.
     • Located within a sand dune system.
     • Situated on a ridge top, ridge line, or headland.
     • Located within 200 meters below or above a cliff face.
     • Within 20 meters of or inside a cave, rock shelter, or at a cave mouth, provided that the land hasn’t been previously disturbed.

By following this breakdown, those preparing the REF can systematically assess and report on the potential impacts of a proposed activity on Aboriginal cultural and heritage sites.

Historical, Aboriginal and Cultural Heritage Due Diligence

This section of the REF (Review of Environmental Factors) pertains to items of historical, built or European heritage that might be affected by the proposed activity. Let’s break down the specific requirements:

Extent of Study Area:

• The REF must ensure the study area is broad enough to consider all potential impacts of the proposed activity on items of historic and cultural heritage.

Specific Listings to be Checked:

1. World Heritage List:
   • Managed by UNESCO, this register lists places of global significance either due to cultural or physical reasons. The REF must identify any potential impacts on items listed here.
2. Commonwealth Heritage List:
   • This is an Australian statutory register that lists natural, Indigenous, and historic heritage places that are owned or controlled by the Australian Government. Again, the REF should outline any potential effects on these items.
3. National Heritage List:
   • Another statutory register by the Australian Government, this list comprises places that hold outstanding heritage value to Australia. The REF needs to detail any potential impacts on locations or items from this list.
4. State Heritage Register:
   • Managed at the state level, this register enlists items recognized as being of State heritage significance. The REF must cover potential impacts on these state-listed items.
5. Heritage Schedule of an Environmental Planning Instrument (EPI):
   • These are statutory registers established by local councils or regional authorities. They list items regarded as having local heritage significance. The REF has to define the extent of potential impact on these items.

For all the above listings, the REF should:

• Clearly state whether the proposed activity will have any impact on listed items.
• Describe the nature and extent of the impact, be it direct (like physical alteration) or indirect (like visual or auditory disturbance).
• If no impact is anticipated, provide the necessary justification or evidence supporting that conclusion.

By meticulously assessing and reporting on potential impacts to these heritage listings, the REF ensures that cultural, historical, and natural heritage items are given due consideration during the planning and implementation phases of any project.