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Archaeological value hearings

Learn how to prepare and present your views at an archaeological value hearing.

  • Regulatory guidance
Stone ruins in a grassy landscape.

About archaeological value hearings

Archaeological value hearings are for sites that are: 

  • less than 75 years old 

  • recommended by Heritage Victoria's Executive Director as a site of archaeological value. 

These hearings help us to decide if the site has archaeological value and must be included in the Victorian Heritage Inventory.  

We appoint a committee of at least three Heritage Council members to conduct the hearing. 

Responding to a recommendation

If an archaeological site is less than 75 years old, Heritage Victoria’s Executive Director will research the site’s history before making a recommendation to the Heritage Council about its archaeological value. 

This is known as an Executive Director recommendation.  

Participating in a hearing

Archaeological value hearings are open to the public and the media. If you want to photograph or record a hearing, you will need prior approval from the Heritage Council. 

Archaeological value hearing protocols

Heritage Council Protocol 7 - Archaeological value hearings provides detailed information about the archaeological value hearing process, including key steps and timeframes.  

Read Protocol 7 (PDF, 235kb)

Additional information 

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