Once finalised, the plan for undertaking a standard assessment should be submitted to the RAP.
- The HA will endeavour to obtain the RAP’s agreement to the plan at Step 4, and the RAP will make every reasonable effort to assist and agree to the plan for undertaking a standard assessment, noting Principle 5.
- The plan for undertaking a standard assessment should incorporate RAP requests where these are consistent with proper archaeological practice and the cultural, archaeological and geomorphological information about the activity area obtained in the desktop assessment.
- Where alterations to the plan for undertaking a standard assessment are made during its progress, these will be documented along with the rationale for the alteration.
- Where the RAP or HA refuses an alteration, this will also be documented, with a rationale.
If agreement cannot be reached in relation to a plan for undertaking a standard assessment, it is recommended the standard assessment should not commence or continue. The disagreement should be referred to DPC for assistance or to alternative dispute resolution. The standard assessment should then proceed in accordance with advice or the outcomes of the dispute resolution.
In accordance with Principles 1, 2 and 3, it is appropriate that the Sponsor and HA do not proceed or continue without RAP agreement. Whilst it is open for the Sponsor to accept this risk and continue, it should be noted if the CHMP is finalised and submitted for evaluation after the desktop stage, the RAP may refuse to approve the CHMP if it is not satisfied it is adequate to address section 61 matters. A decision to refuse to approve a CHMP may be challenged later at VCAT, where the rationale for refusing to alter the plan for undertaking a standard assessment will be relevant.
Updated