Cultural heritage management plans

Any land user can develop and seek approval for a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (the Cultural Heritage Acts).

What is a CHMP?

A CHMP is an agreement between a land user (sponsor) and Traditional Owners (endorsed party) developed under Part 7 of the Cultural Heritage Acts.

The CHMP explains how land use activities can be managed to avoid or minimise harm to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

When do I need a CHMP?

A CHMP must be developed and approved under Part 7 of the legislation when an environmental impact statement is required for a project.

However, any land user can voluntarily develop and seek to have a CHMP approved, even when there is no legal requirement to do so.

The advantage of developing a CHMP voluntarily is it allows the land user to address cultural heritage with certainty and within a statutory timeframe.

Developing a CHMP

Developing a CHMP involves a statutory one-month notification of an intention to develop a CHMP, followed by a three-month negotiation and consultation period with the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander party regarding the terms of the plan.

Please refer to the Cultural heritage management plan guidelines (DOCX, 811.4 KB) to assist in developing these plans.

The guidelines provide basic information relating to CHMP and the statutory process to help land users decide whether they should develop a plan. The guidelines can also assist in working out a suitable structure for a plan, and a way of carrying it out.

Mediation

Mediation assistance to deal with disputes that arise during the consultation process is available through the Land Court of Queensland.

What happens if there is failure to reach agreement?

When agreement cannot be reached, the proposed CHMP can be referred to the Land Court of Queensland.

Following consideration of the matter, the Court will make a recommendation to the Minister for a decision.

Approved CHMPs are placed on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage register established under Part 5 of the Cultural Heritage Acts.

Notices

Forms approved for use when initiating a CHMP under the Cultural Heritage Acts are: