An Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report, prepared in accordance with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage’s Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in NSW, must be submitted for any development application on land on which an Aboriginal heritage item is located, or that is to be affected by any proposed works.

A report may also be required for any development application on land that is in the vicinity of an Aboriginal heritage site or conservation area or that is in the proposed impact area.

As Building Designers in Newcastle and Northern Beaches, we will arrange the outsourcing of this work to an Aboriginal Heritage Consultant who will include in their statement:

• an assessment of the boundary and extent of the Aboriginal site,
• an assessment of the heritage significance of the site,
• a discussion of the impacts of the proposed works on the significance of the item, and
• details of the mitigation measures.
• An argument that demonstrates that all possible means of mitigating any negative impact on the site have been addressed and that the proposed works will not harm or damage the site.

The consultant will be engaged in the pre-design stage to assess the item of significance and advise on it should shape the development proposal. Once a design is formalised the consultant will write the statement referencing the proposal to submit to council.