Cultural Heritage & Unexpected Finds
Respect the Site. Protect What Matters.
Clear operational controls for Victorian development and construction sites.
Clear My Block respects and protects suspected cultural heritage, follows approved site controls and stops affected work where required.
Where a possible heritage item, object, deposit or feature is encountered, our personnel leave it in place, protect the immediate area and notify the client or site manager so the applicable project heritage process can be activated.
Approved site controls | Stop-work authority | Leave material in place | Client-led escalation
What Developers Need to Know
Clear Responsibilities. Clear Site Controls.
Clear My Block does not replace the project heritage process. We operate within the approved controls that apply to our work and follow the site-specific direction provided by the client.
Developer / Builder / Principal Contractor
Establish the Project Requirements
The project party responsible for approvals determines what heritage requirements apply and provides the current controls relevant to Clear My Block's scope.
Determine whether a CHMP, permit or consent is required
Provide current site-specific heritage controls
Identify exclusion zones, restrictions and approved work areas
Nominate the relevant site and heritage contacts
Clear My Block
Work Within the Approved Controls
Before relevant work begins, our team reviews the controls supplied for our scope and works within the authorised area and conditions.
Review applicable CHMPs, permits and project procedures
Respect barriers, no-go zones and depth restrictions
Stop affected work if a possible heritage find is encountered
Recommence only after authorised clearance is received
Important
CMB-POL-002 is an operational control policy — not a substitute for a CHMP, heritage assessment, permit, approval or professional heritage advice.
Where an approved CHMP, permit, consent or project-specific procedure applies, that controlling document takes precedence over the general Clear My Block policy.
Before Relevant Work Starts
Know the Controls. Then Enter the Site.
Clear My Block seeks the information required to understand the approved work area and applicable heritage controls before relevant site disturbance begins. The exact requirements depend on the project and our authorised scope.
Site Heritage Status
Confirm whether relevant heritage listings, overlays or other project heritage requirements affect the work area.
Controlling Documents
Identify any applicable CHMP, permit, consent or site-specific unexpected-finds procedure.
Work Area & Restrictions
Understand approved access, exclusion zones, retained features, monitoring arrangements and depth limits.
Nominated Contacts
Know the site contact and, where applicable, the heritage adviser, archaeologist or authorised recommencement contact.
Area Released for Work
Confirm the proposed work area has been released for the activity Clear My Block has been engaged to perform.
Hold Point
If applicable heritage controls have not been provided, the affected work does not commence.
Clear My Block waits until the client confirms the applicable requirements and authorises access to the affected work area.
Unexpected Finds Procedure
If Something Is Found. The Process Is Clear.
Clear My Block personnel do not assess, collect or relocate suspected heritage material. The immediate priority is to stop the affected activity, protect the location and activate the applicable project process.
STOP
Stop activity in the immediate area and safely shut down or stabilise plant.
LEAVE IN PLACE
Do not touch, clean, collect, move, cover, load or remove the suspected object, deposit or feature.
PROTECT
Establish a temporary exclusion zone, prevent access and avoid publicly sharing the precise location.
NOTIFY
Notify the Clear My Block supervisor and the client or site manager, then follow the approved site procedure.
RECORD
From outside the exclusion zone, record the time, general location, activity underway and a neutral description. Photographs are only taken when authorised.
ESCALATE
The client or site manager coordinates the appropriate heritage, statutory or emergency pathway where required.
RECOMMENCE
Affected work does not resume until authorised clearance is received and any revised controls are communicated to the crew.
Core Rule
Suspected heritage material stays where it is until the authorised project process determines what happens next.
Clear My Block does not handle, clean, collect, relocate, salvage, own or dispose of suspected heritage material.
Response by Discovery Type
Different Finds. Same First Response.
Stop the affected work, protect the location and notify the appropriate project contact. What happens after that depends on the type of possible discovery and the controlling project procedure.
01 — Possible Aboriginal Heritage
Place or Object
Apply the unexpected-finds procedure. Do not possess, move or relocate suspected material.
Escalation Notify the client or site manager and follow the applicable CHMP, heritage adviser or authorised reporting pathway.
02 — Historical Archaeology
Possible Archaeological Material
Stop ground disturbance and protect the location from further impact.
Escalation Notify the client or site manager. The project coordinates the appropriate qualified heritage professional and authority pathway.
03 — Suspected Human Remains
Stop All Work
Do not touch or photograph. Secure the area, preserve dignity and treat the location as a potential scene.
Immediate Escalation Victoria Police must be contacted immediately and subsequent directions followed.
04 — Secret or Sacred Object
Protect Confidentiality
Do not display, copy, discuss publicly, move or retain the suspected object.
Escalation Notify the client or site manager and follow the applicable Victorian Aboriginal heritage reporting pathway.
05 — Control Breach
Prevent Further Impact
Stop the non-compliant activity and prevent any further impact to the affected area.
Escalation Notify the client or site manager immediately and follow the applicable CHMP, permit or incident procedure.
Clear My Block Operating Principle
We report what has been observed — we do not determine what the find is.
Clear My Block does not speculate about authenticity, cultural significance, ownership, programme impact or cost. Assessment and further direction remain with the appropriate project contact, heritage professional or statutory authority.
Communication, Records & Assurance
Document the Facts. Maintain the Controls.
A heritage response does not end when the machine stops. Clear My Block records the relevant site information, communicates observed facts and retains the controls and clearance associated with the affected work.
Factual Communication
We report the activity underway, general location, actions taken and the direction required before affected work can recommence.
Project Records
Relevant pre-start checks, inductions, client-supplied controls, incident records, correspondence and clearance are retained with the job file.
Training & Review
Relevant workers and subcontractors are briefed on stop-work authority, no-touch controls, reporting and the response required for suspected human remains.
Client Communication
Report what was observed and what has been controlled — without speculating about what the find may be.
Clear My Block does not make assessments about authenticity, cultural significance, ownership, programme impact or cost. Those matters remain with the appropriate project and heritage professionals.
Activity underway recorded
General location identified
Exclusion controls documented
Clearance retained before restart
Cultural heritage controls form part of Clear My Block's broader contractor assurance framework. Review our compliance systems and project readiness.
VIEW COMPLIANCE & ASSURANCECultural Heritage & Unexpected Finds
Respect the Controls. Protect the Site.
Clear My Block works within the approved site controls provided for our scope, maintains clear stop-work and reporting procedures, and supports Developers and Builders with practical contractor controls for Victorian construction and development sites.
Clear My Block is not a heritage adviser, archaeologist or statutory approval authority. Where required, site-specific heritage advice must be obtained from an appropriately qualified Victorian heritage professional.