Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018

For the purposes of section 53(2) of the Act, a standard assessment must include a ground survey of all or part of the activity area to detect the presence of Aboriginal cultural heritage in or associated with the activity area.

A standard assessment may include the collection and review of oral history relating to the activity area.

A ground survey of an activity area under this regulation must include an on the ground examination of—

the surface of the activity area undertaken by traversing the area in a systematic manner; and

any mature indigenous tree in the activity area; and

any cave, rock shelter or cave entrance in the activity area.

A ground survey of an activity area under this regulation may include any of the following sub‑surface investigations—

ground penetrating radar survey;

resistivity survey;

remote sensing;

ground magnetic survey;

electromagnetic survey;

soil and sediment testing with a manual auger no larger than 12 centimetres in diameter to assist in defining the nature and extent of identified Aboriginal cultural heritage.

A ground survey of an activity area under this regulation must be conducted in accordance with proper archaeological practice.