Kilmore Sewer Project

ACHM prepared and delivered the Approved Cultural Heritage Management Plan and the salvage works for the Kilmore Sewer Project for Goulburn Valley Water, supporting the construction of a new sewer outfall through an archaeologically sensitive corridor along Kilmore Creek.

The project involved extensive consultation with Taungurung Land and Waters Council and detailed field investigations to identify, manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.

ACHM’s work enabled the project to proceed in accordance with legislative requirements while responsibly managing heritage values within a highly constrained urban and creek‑side environment.

Kilmore Creek Masterplan

ACHM provided strategic cultural heritage input to the Kilmore masterplanning process for Mitchell Shire Council, supporting early‑stage planning in a historically and culturally layered regional township. Our role focused on identifying heritage considerations at a precinct scale and embedding those insights into the masterplan framework before detailed design and approvals commenced.
 
By addressing cultural heritage early, ACHM helped inform land‑use decisions, reduce downstream approval risk, and support a coordinated, long‑term planning outcome for Kilmore’s future growth.

Rail Infrastructure

ACHM is a trusted cultural heritage partner across Australia’s public and private rail networks. We support government agencies, rail operators, major contractors and Traditional Owner groups to deliver safe, compliant and culturally respectful rail infrastructure projects.

Our experience covers the full project lifecycle—from early planning and CHMP preparation to salvage excavations, stakeholder engagement, on‑Country consultation and ongoing advisory. We ensure that essential transport upgrades progress efficiently while meeting the highest standards of cultural heritage protection.

Across major corridor duplications, station redevelopments, stabling and maintenance facilities, level‑crossing removals and regional line upgrades, ACHM brings deep technical capability, strong regulatory expertise and enduring relationships with Traditional Owners nationwide.

Warrnambool Line Upgrade – Cultural Heritage Management
 
ACHM played a central role in the Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) for the Warrnambool Line Upgrade, including amendments and ongoing advisory services. Our work involved:
  • Direct engagement with Traditional Owners
  • Resolving CHMP queries and clarifying assessment outcomes
  • Updating advice as rail design progressed
  • Coordinating with the construction partner to ensure all works aligned with cultural heritage obligations and legislation

We also delivered broader support, including the review of previous CHMPs, salvage requirement assessments and project liaison to maintain compliance and streamline the approvals pathway.

Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP)

ACHM  completed CHMPs, due diligence assessments, salvage programs, spatial data tasks and heritage compliance services across numerous LXRP packages.

Growth Area Stations Program

ACHM prepared CHMPs, duel diligence assessments, salvage programs and heritage compliance services for the Victorian Government’s Growth Area Stations initiative, including new or expanded stations or infrastructure at:

  • Caroline Springs
  • Eltham
  • Frankston
  • Merlynston
  • Pakenham
  • Ravenhall
  • Riddells Creek 
  • Tarneit
  • Watergardens
  • Wattle Glen
  • Williams Landing
  • Wyndham Vale
  • Yarraman

Our involvement supported the investigative stage through to approval‑ready submissions for multiple rapidly growing urban centres.

Stabling Yards, Rail Sidings & Precinct Enhancements

Across metropolitan and regional networks, ACHM provides cultural heritage expertise for:

  • Depot expansions
  • Stabling yards
  • Rail sidings
  • Broader precinct upgrades

Our work includes due diligence, CHMPs, salvage programs and risk identification, all tailored to align with demanding rail construction schedules.

Pilbara Heavy‑Haul Rail Projects

Mulga Downs Rail & Hub

ACHM is delivering end‑to‑end cultural heritage services for the Mulga Downs Iron Ore Project, including the proposed rail spur and hub for Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill. Our work includes:

  • Ethnobiological and ethnographic studies
  • Extensive archaeological surveys
  • Heritage governance and stakeholder engagement
  • Avoidance recommendations and site recording

We ensure Banjima Traditional Owner values guide planning and construction while providing the assurance needed for safe and compliant delivery.

Fortescue Solomon Rail

Over 100 km of archaeological and ethnographic assessments supporting greenfields rail development and Solomon Mine operations.

Rio Tinto Gudai‑Darri Rail

Over 80 km of archaeological and ethnographic assessments for the Gudai‑Darri Mine rail corridor.

Rio Tinto Hope Downs Rail

Over 100 km of archaeological and ethnographic surveys supporting the Hope Downs rail corridor.

West Pilbara Iron Ore Project Rail Corridor

Heritage site verification across 180 km of proposed heavy‑haul rail infrastructure, supporting early feasibility and planning.

Rail Capability at a Glance

  • End‑to‑end heritage services, surveys, assessments and CHMPs from early due diligence to complex investigations and salvage.
  • Specialist Traditional Owner engagement ensuring transparent, respectful and legislatively compliant consultation.
  • GIS, spatial analysis and predictive modelling to identify corridor‑wide risks and inform route selection.
  • Rapid‑response advisory for contractors managing emergent heritage issues.
  • Compliance excellence supported by ISO‑certified quality, safety and environmental systems.
  • Seamless integration with project delivery, including alignment with rail construction sequencing and safety protocols.

Ballarat West Employment Zone

ACHM has supported Development Victoria on the delivery of the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ), a major 438‑hectare industrial and logistics precinct being developed to drive long‑term economic growth for the Ballarat region. The project is transforming surplus Crown land on Wadawurrung Country into a future‑focused hub for manufacturing, freight, construction and commercial activity.

Working in partnership with Development Victoria, the City of Ballarat and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, ACHM has provided  ongoing cultural heritage guidance and approvals support across multiple stages of the precinct. Our work ensures that project planning and construction proceed in line with cultural heritage legislation, while respecting Wadawurrung cultural values and maintaining strong, transparent relationships with Traditional Owners.

Through our involvement, ACHM has helped Development Victoria deliver a precinct that balances economic opportunity with responsible, culturally informed land management.

Country Fire Authority

ACHM has supported the Country Fire Authority (CFA) across a series of new and upgraded fire‑station developments throughout regional Victoria. Our work has included the completion of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) for the Pyalong CFA Station, as well as extensive due diligence assessments for proposed fire stations at Callawadda, Clear Lake, Pomonal, Greendale, Buninyong, Dundonnell, and The Basin.

These assessments ensure emergency services infrastructure can be delivered responsibly, efficiently, and in full compliance with Victorian Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation.

Across CFA’s regional station upgrades and new builds, ACHM worked closely with Registered Aboriginal Parties, stakeholders, and project planners to identify, assess, and manage cultural heritage sensitivities early in the planning process. This ensured project designs could be refined where necessary, risks minimised, and compliance pathways streamlined—supporting CFA’s commitment to serving local communities while respecting the deep histories and cultural landscapes of Victoria.

ACHM is proud to contribute to the development of critical emergency response facilities across the state, helping CFA deliver safer and stronger fire‑service infrastructure for Victorian communities.

North Central Catchment Management Authority

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (North Central CMA) oversees one of Victoria’s most diverse and culturally significant regions. Covering 13% of the state, the area stretches from the Murray River to the Great Dividing Range and includes major river systems such as the Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca and Avon‑Richardson. These landscapes support internationally significant wetlands, box‑ironbark forests, and a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage that continues to shape land and water management across the region. 

ACHM has supported the North Central CMA by delivering expert cultural heritage services that help integrate Aboriginal knowledge and values into the Authority’s environmental and natural resource programs. Our work aligns with the CMA’s strong partnerships with Traditional Owners, ensuring cultural heritage is respected, protected, and appropriately considered in regional planning and on‑ground works. With extensive experience in cultural heritage assessment and compliance, ACHM provides the CMA with the clarity, accuracy, and technical support needed to manage heritage obligations and uphold cultural responsibilities across this important landscape.

Melton City Council

ACHM supports Melton City Council across multiple infrastructure programs, including road and transport upgrades such as the works associated with the Melton Highway corridor. Our role includes delivering Cultural Heritage Management Plans and due diligence assessments for council‑led upgrade projects in the region—ensuring cultural values are identified early, constraints are clearly mapped, and road design progresses with full statutory compliance.
 
Recent work with Melton City Council—including CHMPs for Middle Road Upgrade and associated shared‑path, recreation‑reserve and road‑upgrade projects—demonstrates ACHM’s capability in providing responsive, technically robust heritage advice that supports efficient program delivery in one of Victoria’s fastest‑growing municipalities.

Post-Event Heritage Evaluation (PEHE) Program

ACHM is delivering Post-Even Heritage Evaluation (PEHE) post‑flood event heritage surveys for Parks Victoria, providing rapid mobilisation, risk‑aware fieldwork, and end‑to‑end reporting across multiple reserves—including Walpolla, Wandella Nature Conservation Reserve, Dartagook Wildlife Reserve, and Westblades Swamp Wildlife Reserve.

Our team has coordinated survey notifications, field surveys, VAHR access, and site‑card preparation while streamlining invoicing and budget control to keep delivery on track. We have processed VAHR feedback and resubmissions and are finalising report updates pending registry numbers, ensuring quality assurance without delay.

With four concurrent work packages, and the re-recording of over 70 heritage sites in the north of Victoria, the PEHE program showcases ACHM’s capacity to scale quickly, protect cultural values, and deliver compliant outcomes under challenging flood‑recovery conditions.

Western Highway Duplication

ACHM provided specialist cultural heritage advisory services for the Western Highway Duplication between Buangor and Stawell, delivering the mandatory Cultural Heritage Management Plan required for the project. Our team undertook comprehensive desktop and standard assessments to identify and manage Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivities along the corridor.

We worked closely with VicRoads and the Registered Aboriginal Party to ensure full compliance with the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, while carefully integrating cultural heritage considerations into planning, design, and construction plans. ACHM’s approach ensured regulatory certainty, safeguarded cultural values, and supported the smooth delivery of this major infrastructure upgrade.

VicRoads

ACHM has a long record of successfully delivering cultural heritage services for VicRoads across major road and highway upgrades throughout Victoria. Our work includes multiple Complex and Standard CHMPs for the Safe System Road Infrastructure Program (SSRIP), salvage investigations for projects, and large‑scale CHMP’s and salvages for the Western Highway duplication, Midland Highway expansion, South Gippsland Highway expansion, Melton highway, Princes Highway expansion, Northern Highway works and extensive works on the Wallan-Kilmore bypass.

Through detailed desktop, standard and complex assessments, stakeholder consultation and regulatory navigation under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, ACHM supports VicRoads in delivering safe transport infrastructure while protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage values.