- Where the CHMP assessment does not identify any Aboriginal cultural heritage an induction should not normally be required (see Appendix 8).
- A cultural awareness induction may be required on large sites with considerable compliance conditions, for site managers and the Sponsor to promote the importance of implementing conditions. A cultural awareness induction should only be conducted once per activity, and the presentation should include the following:
- A telling of Country according to the Traditional Owners – a description of the area and its environment, resources and traditional use
- Why the area is culturally important to the Traditional Owners
- The history of the Traditional Owners in their own words emphasising post-colonial events and relationships to the present day.
- A site induction may be required for personnel undertaking ground disturbing works where adherence to specific CHMP conditions is required, or where existing Aboriginal cultural heritage registered in the activity area raises the possibility that further unexpected cultural material may be encountered during works. Site inductions should be conducted once per activity area. The site induction should include the following:
- How the activity impacts Aboriginal cultural heritage both generally and at that work site
- What measures have been agreed to minimise harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage
- Detailing specific CHMP conditions – an explanation of what workers can and cannot do while onsite as stipulated in the CHMP
- Typical Aboriginal cultural heritage found in the activity area and its surrounds, including photographs – enough to enable the layperson to identify Aboriginal cultural heritage which may trigger CHMP contingencies
- What workers should do if they uncover something notifiable – stop work if safe, who to notify, etc.
- The CHMP contingencies, especially as they pertain to Aboriginal Ancestral Remains
- Identifying who from the RAP is likely to be onsite at any given time, implementing specific conditions for example
- Expectations for good faith relations onsite – an interactive discussion.
Who conducts the CHMP induction?
It is best practice for the relevant RAP or Traditional Owner group to conduct and present the induction, at Sponsor expense. Sometimes a HA may be of assistance for technical matters.
When is the CHMP induction conducted?
The CHMP Induction should be conducted at any time between the approval of the CHMP and the commencement of works on site, or as otherwise required by the CHMP.
Most activities should only require a single cultural awareness induction and a single site induction, and these should be combined where possible. Some very large projects over multiple worksites or activity areas may require more than one site induction; one for each worksite. Where multiple inductions are required, recorded inductions and inductions as part of existing overarching induction material for new workers, should be agreed to, and should be reflected in the associated CHMP condition.
Who should be inducted?
- Any personnel undertaking ground disturbing works should attend both inductions.
- Support staff, project management staff and senior executives may attend inductions, but are not required to attend.
- The Sponsor is responsible for collecting attendance information.
- It is suggested that personnel should only be required to attend the cultural awareness induction presentation once per activity per RAP area.
- If personnel are required to be on worksites across different RAP areas for the same activity, it is suggested practice for those personnel to attend one cultural awareness induction per RAP area per activity. The above requirement relating to multiple worksites within the same RAP area applies in this scenario.
- The Sponsor is responsible for keeping records ensuring all relevant personnel have been appropriately inducted.
How may CHMP Inductions be conducted?
- RAPs may conduct CHMP inductions in person or may design stock induction presentations for virtual delivery.
- Where site inductions need to be repeated or held many times, recorded induction material or an online induction should be developed and included with other site induction material.
- RAPs may develop and communicate inductions in any appropriate way if the outlined limitations are met. DPC suggests RAPs develop video material to distribute to small and medium project proponents, and reserve live presentations for large activities and complex CHMP conditions.
How much do CHMP inductions cost?
A CHMP induction cost is set by the RAP or Traditional Owner group. It is expected these costs will be reasonable and fair, and reflect the resources required to deliver them.
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