Helping Deliver One of Regional Victoria's Largest Employment Precincts Through Cultural Heritage Expertise
Development Victoria is the Victorian State Government’s central agency responsible for property development, urban renewal, and delivering major civic projects. Established in 2017, it partners with industry to transform public land and buildings into residential, commercial, and community spaces that improve liveability and economic growth.
The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is one of Victoria’s most significant urban development projects, a 438-hectare industrial and logistics precinct on Wadawurrung Country set to become a major hub for manufacturing, freight, construction and commercial activity in regional Victoria.
Australian Cultural Heritage Management (ACHM) has provided cultural heritage guidance and approvals support across multiple stages of the precinct, working in close partnership with Development Victoria, the City of Ballarat and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Our scope has included archaeological survey, excavation, due diligence assessments, approved Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMP), archaeological salvage and ongoing stakeholder management.
In a project area that is dynamic, rapidly developing and subject to continuous change, our team has ensured that every stage of planning and construction proceeds in full compliance with Victorian heritage legislation, with Wadawurrung cultural values appropriately identified, respected and protected throughout.
Client
Development Victoria
Location
Ballarat, Victoria
Sectors
Urban and Regional Development
Services
Results Delivered
Supporting the Delivery of One of Regional Victoria's Largest Employment Precincts Through Expert Cultural Heritage Management
In a project area that evolved rapidly across multiple construction stages, Australian Cultural Heritage Management was integral in delivering archaeological survey, excavation, Approved CHMPs, due diligence assessments, archaeological salvage and ongoing stakeholder engagement, keeping Development Victoria compliant and construction on schedule through various phases of the Ballarat West Employment Zone. Our structured, stage-by-stage approvals approach ensured that no construction activity was delayed by unresolved heritage obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a large-scale industrial development like the Ballarat West Employment Zone require a Cultural Heritage Management Plan?
Yes. Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, any high-impact activity in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity in Victoria requires an approved Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) before planning permits or work authorities can be issued. For a development the scale of the Ballarat West Employment Zone, spanning 438 hectares on Wadawurrung Country, a multi-stage CHMP process is required to assess, document and manage any Aboriginal cultural heritage present. Australian Cultural Heritage Management has delivered this approvals support across multiple stages of the BWEZ precinct. Learn more about our CHMP services.
What does a heritage due diligence assessment involve for an urban development project?
A heritage due diligence assessment for an urban development project involves a desktop review of existing heritage records, a site inspection to identify any cultural heritage constraints, and an assessment of the risk those constraints present to the proposed activity. For projects like the Ballarat West Employment Zone, where ground disturbance is extensive and staged over time, due diligence at the early planning and feasibility phase allows the proponent to understand heritage obligations before committing to design or construction. Australian Cultural Heritage Management regularly conducts heritage due diligence assessments for urban and infrastructure proponents across Victoria and nationally. Find out more about our due diligence services.
Can construction proceed on land subject to a CHMP while other stages are still being assessed?
Yes, in many cases. On large, staged developments like the Ballarat West Employment Zone, separate CHMPs can be prepared and approved for individual stages, allowing construction to commence on approved areas while assessment continues elsewhere. This staged approvals approach requires careful programme management to ensure each CHMP is assessed and approved before ground disturbance in that stage begins. Australian Cultural Heritage Management manages this process for proponents, ensuring each stage is approved on time and on budget without creating delays for construction teams.
What happens if Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered during construction?
If Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered during construction, all work in the immediate area must stop and the Registered Aboriginal Party and relevant authorities must be notified. The CHMP for the project should include an unexpected finds protocol that outlines the steps required — including cessation of works, notification, assessment of the find, and agreement on appropriate management before works can recommence. Australian Cultural Heritage Management prepares unexpected finds protocols as part of all our CHMP deliverables and can provide rapid on-ground response to manage unexpected discoveries across any project type.
How long does it take to get a CHMP approved in Victoria?
The timeframe to obtain an approved CHMP in Victoria varies depending on the scale and complexity of the assessment required. A simple desktop CHMP may be completed in weeks, while a complex multi-stage CHMP involving extensive archaeological survey and excavation can take 12 months or more. Engaging an experienced heritage consultant early, ideally at the feasibility or pre-planning stage, is the most effective way to avoid heritage-related delays. Australian Cultural Heritage Management has produced over 150 approved CHMPs in Victoria and can provide realistic programme advice from the outset.
