Archaeology and cultural heritage management
Cultural heritage management
Complete end to end solutions for heritage management projects
Comber Consultants has been committed to excellence for over 30 years. We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity.
We provide end-to-end archaeological and multidisciplinary heritage management solutions for Aboriginal, historical and underwater cultural heritage. We prepare archaeological assessments for terrestrial and underwater structures and cultural landscapes. These include Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Reports, Heritage Impact Statements and Conservation Managements Plans.
Comber Consultants undertakes site inspections, historic research, archaeological excavations, site documentation, (including photogrammetry), provides expert witness services, consultation with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and prepares permit applications for large and small projects. These range in size from State significance projects to private residential properties.
We assist in the development of interpretation plans and in developing and implementing strategies that promote cultural heritage conservation and in the provision of public education on heritage. In developing strategies that promote cultural heritage conservation and provide heritage education on heritage our work is guided by the Burra Charter and best practice management to ensure outcomes that meet statutory and ethical requirements.
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We provide archaeological cadetships for Aboriginal people and 50% of our team are Aboriginal. In addition, we were the first heritage consultants in Australia to gain accreditation for an integrated management system that is certified for quality, safety and environmental management.
Aboriginal archaeology
Comber Consultants undertakes archaeological surveys, assessments, monitoring, testing and salvage excavations. We undertake the community consultation and preparation of Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permits (AHIPS). All Aboriginal archaeological reports are prepared in accordance with the New South Wales Guide to investigating, assessing and reporting on Aboriginal cultural heritage in NSW; the Code of Practice for Archaeological Investigation of Aboriginal Objects in New South Wales; and the Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in New South Wales.
Aboriginal community consultation
Comber Consultants has developed a close working relationship with Aboriginal organisations across New South Wales. We undertake Aboriginal consultation in accordance with the Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation requirements for proponents 2010
and prepare the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report which details the consultation and prepare the Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) application.
Historical (non-Aboriginal) archaeology
Comber Consultants undertakes detailed historic research, assessments, testing and monitoring of historic sites. We undertake community consultation, if required, undertake significance assessments and provide mitigation and management recommendations. All historical archaeological reports are prepared in accordance with the NSW Heritage Council’s Heritage Manual
and Historical Archaeology Code of Practice. We are able to obtain s60 as well as s140 permits.
Underwater archaeology
Comber Consultants undertakes underwater cultural heritage (UCH) investigations for onshore and offshore development projects. Our professional maritime archaeologists undertake underwater surveys, assessment, excavation and the provision of advice. Our maritime archaeologists are accredited ADAS, (Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme), occupational divers and dive supervisors.
Comber Consultants’ highly experienced staff have been closely involved with advocacy of the UNESCO
Convention on the
Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001) through the ICOMOS International Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage (ICUCH). The 2001 UNESCO Convention is the conceptual basis of the Australia's Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018.
To ensure that best practice UCH management is being undertaken in accordance with the UNESCO Convention and the Act, we have developed the Comber Consultants' Underwater Cultural Heritage Management & Offshore Renewables best practice protocols. As there are currently no guidelines under Commonwealth Act, this document is aimed at filling that gap.
Statements of Heritage Impact
Councils often require Statements of Heritage Impact (SoHI) to assess the impact of a proposal on the cultural heritage significance of a place. We are able to provide a detailed SoHI which includes detailed historic background, an assessment of the proposal on the archaeology, built environment, landscape, views etc. We consider and apply the provisions of the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Heritage Council requirements.
Conservation Management Plans
Comber Consultants can prepare a detailed Conservation Management Plan (CMP) including a schedule of works and architectural drawings. The CMP will provide policies and guidelines for the ongoing management of the site or place. We can also provide just the archaeological component of the CMP.
Expert Witness
Jillian Comber of Comber Consultants has extensive experience as an expert witness. She can prepare the relevant witness statements and joint conference reports for the Land & Environment Court. She is aware of and understands the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 applicable to expert evidence and the code of conduct set out in Schedule 7 of those rules.
Cultural heritage education and training
Comber Consultants’ staff are trained and experienced educators and communicators. All staff have a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. We have provided site officer training to Aboriginal Land Councils and cultural heritage management training to Local Government and State Government agencies. Comber Consultants’ also provides onsite cultural heritage inductions. We have a great depth of experience with course preparation and delivery to a wide range of audiences.
