Heritage
The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has two agencies responsible for managing Victoria’s rich cultural heritage, including Aboriginal cultural heritage and post-contact (non-Indigenous) heritage.
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) is the key Aboriginal cultural heritage agency. It is the agency which:
- administers and promotes understanding of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
- assists Landowners, Planners and Developers with the management of Aboriginal heritage
- protects and manages Victoria’s Aboriginal cultural heritage through processes linked to the Victorian planning system
- administers Cultural Heritage Management Plans, Cultural Heritage Agreements and Cultural Heritage Permits which manage activities on land that may harm Aboriginal cultural heritage
- manages the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register- an important administrative tool for the successful management of Aboriginal cultural heritage
- supports the functions of the Aboriginal Heritage Council and Registered Aboriginal Parties which play a central role in the protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage
Tools
- Find out if a Cultural Heritage Management Plan is required for a proposed activity by using the Aboriginal heritage planning tool
- Access the Maps of cultural heritage sensitivity to identify where a Cultural Heritage Management plan may be required
Learn more about AAV and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Heritage Victoria
Heritage Victoria (HV) is the key post-contact cultural heritage agency. It is the agency which:
- recommends places and objects for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register as part of the assessment and registration processes
- issues permits to alter or make other changes to heritage places and objects
- provides funding assistance for heritage projects
- manages historic shipwrecks and relics
- is responsible for protecting Victoria’s archaeological heritage
- promotes community understanding of the Heritage Act 1995
- provides educational services, resources and support for heritage related projects
- conserves significant artefacts and objects
Tools
- The Victorian Heritage Database allows you to locate heritage places and objects in the state of Victoria – the database provides users with images, history and location information.
- Use Planning maps online - the ability to search for heritage listed property in Victoria
- Access the Victorian Heritage Act 1995
- Learn more about the Heritage Council of Victoria the decision-making body on cultural (non-Indigenous) heritage issues in Victoria.
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