If it is determined that a standard assessment is required, the HA will prepare a plan for undertaking the standard assessment based on the information gathered by the desktop assessment. The standard assessment plan must comply with regulation 63.
- It is recommended the HA will discuss the plan for undertaking a standard assessment with the RAP at least once as it is being prepared. The RAP will have the opportunity to provide input to the plan during its preparation, and the HA will note RAP priorities for survey locations where they differ from the HA’s plan.
- The plan for undertaking a standard assessment will detail a survey strategy and detailed justification for this survey strategy.
- Design of the survey strategy will be in accordance with proper archaeological practice. This will include:
- Defining a clear survey research purpose and objective
- Documenting the standard assessment design, which includes the following -
- Explaining intended survey techniques such as walking, hand auguring and remote sensing, such as aerial surveys by drone, use of aerial photography, satellite imaging and LiDAR
- Explaining sampling strategy such as random, systematic, stratified or non-probabilistic (see Appendix 13)
- Documenting how information about Aboriginal intangible values and cultural values are to be gathered, if necessary and appropriate (e.g. internal gathering of information by Traditional Owners; formal interviews conducted in accordance with proper and ethical anthropological practice).
- The plan for undertaking a standard assessment should be directed to emphasise the most sensitive areas as defined in the desktop assessment and through RAP consultation.
- The plan for undertaking a standard assessment will document how it is designed to assist the RAP assess section 61 matters, particularly sections 61(a) and (b) of the Act.
- The plan for undertaking a standard assessment should always include provisions for changes to be made and agreed as the assessment progresses, where conditions and circumstances warrant. In practice, this could be reflected by an email agreeing to alterations from the relevant RAP manager.
- The plan for undertaking a standard assessment, and the date agreed, must be included in the CHMP.
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