Working with a heritage monitor on your site
Monitoring is often a condition of a cultural heritage agreement, plan or permit. When the site team and the monitors work together, monitoring rarely slows the job. This guide covers the basics for supervisors and operators.
What monitors do
Monitors watch the ground as it is cleared, stripped or excavated, looking for artefacts, features and soils that may hold heritage. Where the agreement provides for it, Traditional Owner monitors and technical monitors work side by side.
What helps on site
A few simple habits make monitoring smoother for everyone.
- Share the daily plan, including which work fronts need monitors
- Include monitors in prestart meetings and radio channels
- Strip in thin layers where the plan asks for it
- Give monitors a safe position with a clear view of the bucket or blade
- Stop when asked, and let the monitor check before restarting
Planning monitoring into the program
Tell your heritage provider early when the program changes. Extra work fronts, night works or weekend shifts may need more monitors, and Traditional Owner monitors may need notice under the agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Can monitoring be done after the works?
No. Once the ground is disturbed, the chance to protect heritage in place is lost. Monitoring has to happen while the work is done.
How many monitors do we need?
It depends on the plan or agreement, the number of work fronts and the plant involved. We confirm numbers with the quote.