Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR) — NSW
The substantive assessment for sites where Aboriginal heritage is present or likely — done properly, with the community at the table.
What an ACHAR includes
- Aboriginal community consultation under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010, with Registered Aboriginal Parties.
- Archaeological survey and, where required, test excavation under the NSW Code of Practice for Archaeological Investigation.
- Assessment of cultural and scientific significance, informed by the community’s cultural values.
- Impact assessment and practical management or mitigation recommendations.
Consultation done right
The cultural values in an ACHAR are spoken for by Aboriginal people, not the archaeologist. COLCO runs the formal consultation process correctly and respectfully — which is both an ethical obligation and the thing that most often delays or derails a report when done poorly. Getting it right the first time protects your timeline.
Why COLCO
An ACHAR is only as good as the judgement behind it. With a former regulator and approved Excavation Director leading your report, the significance assessment and methodology are built to the standard Heritage NSW expects.
Working in the ACT instead? ACHARs are NSW-only — the ACT equivalents are a Cultural Heritage Assessment (CHA) and Statement of Heritage Effect (SHE) under the Heritage Act 2004. See ACT heritage assessments.