Heritage Symposium Presentation July15

www.ehpartners.com.au

18 July 2015

ACT and RegionAnnual Heritage Symposium 2015

Richard Sharp, FEIANZ, CEnvPSenior ConsultantEnvironment & Infrastructure

Protecting heritage during construction


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Overview

• Heritage legislation and infrastructure developments

• Recent approval conditions for major projects

• Monitoring of compliance with heritage conditions

• Best practice – Industry & Government

• Independent oversight to protect heritage


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Legislation

• Heritage Act 2004 (ACT)

– Heritage Council may give planning and land authority advice

– Heritage Council may apply to the ACAT for review of the planning and land authority’s decision

– When giving advice to the land and planning authority, the Heritage Council must include ways of avoiding or minimising the impact

– When giving advice to the land and planning authority, the Heritage Council may set conditions requiring compliance


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Examples of development approvals

• Works alongside 239km of fire trails within ACT parks– If heritage mapping is <3 months old, conduct new

search• http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2014-531/current/pdf/2014-531.pdf

• Gas main extension at the AFP training complex– Qualified heritage consultant to deliver site induction training– Heritage sites to be marked on all construction maps– ‘Chance find protocols’ to be implemented

• http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2014-639/current/pdf/2014-639.pdf


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More examples

• Expansion of the Mugga landfill– CMP to be prepared for the salvage of heritage items on the site– Unanticipated Discovery Protocol to be prepared

• http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2014-153/current/pdf/2014-153.pdf

• Relocation of 132kV power line– CHMP to be endorsed prior to commencement of any

work• http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2014-211/current/pdf/2014-211.pdf


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Recent approval exemptions

• University of Canberra Public Hospital– CMP to identify heritage impact mitigation works

• http://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/40449/University_of_Canberra_Public_Hospital_application_for_S.211_exemption_accessible_version.pdf

• EPIC Low Cost Tourist Accommodation– CMP for Aboriginal Site B751‐1– Implement Unanticipated Discovery Protocol

• http://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/37585/EPIC_Low_Cost_Tourist_Accommodation_-_s211_Assessment_Report_to_the_Minister.pdf


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Approval pending

• Capital Metro Light Rail – Stage 1– Construction compounds grouped to reduce the amount of

excavation and minimise impacts on Aboriginal archaeological resources

– All contractors working on the Project would receive a heritage induction

– Photographic recording of any heritage items/areas affected• http://www.planning.act.gov.au/__

data/assets/pdf_file/0010/41320/Capital_Metro_Light_Rail_Stage_1_Draft_EIS_Volume_01_Part_C-Chapter_06-Chapter_07.pdf


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Existing supervision

• Construction Services Engineering Consultants• Undertake site surveillance• Review and monitor environmental management plans• Advise contractors of non-compliance issues• Notify the Principal and relevant authority of any non-

compliance• Ensure contractors are adhering to training requirements• Prepare reports for the Principal• Carry out site audits


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Environmental management plans

• Environment Protection Act 1997

• EPA issues authorisations for activities provided that an EMP is developed– EMPs require proponents to identify the proposed

management strategies to ensure the environment is appropriately protected and environmental issues are appropriately managed

– Current EMP guidelines provide no requirement for heritage management• http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__

data/assets/pdf_file/0007/574855/EMPGuidelinesMay2013.pdf


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Best practice in construction

• Industry approach– Check to see if there is a CHMP– Determine if there is a need to develop a CHMP– Look out for items of heritage value– Define works areas and keep out of heritage

areas– If you identify something of heritage value,

stop work https://www.ccfvic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Environmental-Guidelines-for-Civil-Construction-CCF.pdf


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Best practice in government

• Independent monitoring of compliance is common practice in NSW

• Monitoring of major infrastructure projects in NSW is undertaken by a qualified and experienced environmental professionals whose appointment is endorsed by the project approval authority


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Future direction

• ACT Heritage Council– Require that proponents engage a ‘professional’ who

is endorsed by the land and planning authority and who shall

• ….. be independent of the design, construction and operation personnel

• ….. oversee the implementation of the EMP / CHMP• ….. recommend steps to be taken to avoid or minimise impacts• ….. have the authority to recommend that construction work stops


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Any questions?

Ecology and Heritage PartnersNatural and Cultural Heritage Consultants

Melbourne Geelong Brisbane Adelaide Canberra Phone (03) 9377 0100

Visit our website for further information www.ehpartners.com.au

Pictures and logos used in this presentation were sourced from https://www.google.com.au/imghp