Providing Long Standing Cultural Heritage Advice That Keeps Water Infrastructure Works Compliant Across Northern Victoria
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is a rural water corporation operating an extensive network of storages, channels, regulating structures, weirs and pipelines across northern Victoria. It delivers a diverse and ongoing program of upgrades and new works that must be completed efficiently, safely and in line with Aboriginal heritage legislation.
Australian Cultural Heritage Management (ACHM) provides ongoing cultural heritage advice and statutory assessment services to GMW. Through a long standing partnership, ACHM helps ensure projects progress efficiently, safely and in full compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act and all relevant regulatory requirements.
Our team has supported major infrastructure upgrades across the region, including significant contributions to the GMW Connections Project, and has completed comprehensive due diligence assessments for works such as the Hayes Road Lake Boga upgrade and the Boort–Kerang Road culvert replacement. ACHM has also completed more than 30 CHMPs for GMW, including landmark projects such as the 450 kilometre Mitiamo Stock and Domestic Pipeline and the technically challenging Box Creek regulator replacement at Ghow (Kow) Swamp.
ACHM also provides early stage cultural heritage input for proposed pipeline alignments, such as the Nine Mile Creek Macorna WEP pipelines, giving project teams clear guidance on CHMP triggers, exemptions and approvals pathways from the outset.
By combining rigorous assessment, strong regulatory understanding and close collaboration with GMW engineers and project managers, ACHM supports water infrastructure projects that are efficient, culturally responsible and aligned with the expectations of Traditional Owners and statutory authorities.
Client
Goulburn-Murray Water
Location
North Central Victoria
Sectors
Public Sector
Infrastructure
Services
Results Delivered
Building a Long Term Heritage Partnership That Keeps Critical Services Infrastructure Compliant
Australian Cultural Heritage Management has become an extension of the Goulburn-Murray Water project team, bringing consistent heritage advice to every stage from early concept to construction. Clear guidance on whether a CHMP is required, and when it is not, has helped GMW avoid unnecessary delay and focus effort where it matters most. The outcome is predictable, compliant delivery that Traditional Owners and statutory authorities can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a water authority need a CHMP for a pipeline in Victoria?
A mandatory CHMP is required where a high impact activity is proposed in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity under the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations. A due diligence assessment is the quickest way to confirm whether a pipeline alignment meets that test. For proposed alignments such as the Nine Mile Creek Macorna WEP pipelines, Australian Cultural Heritage Management gives GMW early guidance on CHMP triggers, exemptions and approvals pathways.
Are there exemptions from needing a CHMP?
Yes. The Regulations include activity thresholds and exemptions, including where land has been significantly ground disturbed. Whether an exemption applies depends on the site conditions and the nature of the works, so it needs to be tested through assessment rather than assumed. Learn more about our due diligence assessment services.
What does a small upgrade such as a culvert replacement require?
Small upgrades often begin with a due diligence assessment to determine whether the works trigger a mandatory CHMP. If they do not, the project can proceed with confidence and a clear record of the decision. Australian Cultural Heritage Management completed due diligence assessments for works such as the Hayes Road Lake Boga upgrade and the Boort–Kerang Road culvert replacement.
What is the role of a Registered Aboriginal Party in a CHMP?
A Registered Aboriginal Party is the Aboriginal organisation appointed under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 to take part in cultural heritage decision making for its area. Sponsors must consult the party when preparing a CHMP, and the party evaluates the plan for its area. Early engagement helps projects avoid delays during evaluation.
What is early stage heritage input for a proposed alignment?
It is a review of sensitivity mapping, registered places and likely approval requirements before the design is fixed. Project teams then know whether a CHMP is likely, which exemptions may apply and where constraints sit, so alignment decisions can be made with heritage risk in view.
