Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents (ACHCRPs)

An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR) is the equivalent of an ACHA though includes following the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010 (ACHCRPs), and if necessary, subsurface testing. The ACHCRPs provide an acceptable framework for conducting Aboriginal community consultation in preparation for impacts to Aboriginal cultural heritage. Proponents are required to follow them where a Project is likely to impact on cultural heritage and where required by Council. It is recommended by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) that all cultural heritage assessments involve this level of consultation, although it is not strictly a requirement unless it meets the above criteria. The ACHCRPs typically take a minimum of 90 days to complete. However, in complicated Projects this period may need to be extended by several months.

The ACHCRPs require public notice of the assessment, identifying Aboriginal stakeholders and contacting them, formation of a group of Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) who will be consulted throughout the preparation of the ACHAR, preparation of a proposed methodology, undertaking site meetings and excavations where required, the production of a draft report, which is distributed to the RAPs and the production of a final report.