Projects

Shepparton and Murray Basin Rail Corridors 

Client: Acciona Rail
Location: Victoria
Date: Ongoing

Services provided

  • Cultural Heritage Management Plan preparation
  • Aboriginal heritage archaeological salvage
  • Salvage and compliance reporting
  • Historical heritage assessments (including Consent applications)
  • Historical heritage monitoring
  • Cultural heritage inductions
  • Strategic heritage advice

Background

Biosis was engaged by Acciona Rail (formerly Coleman Rail) and Aurecon-Jacobs-Mott McDonald Joint Ventue (AJM-JV), on behalf of Rail Projects Victoria, to deliver Aboriginal and historical heritage services for the Shepparton Line Upgrade (Stages 1 – 3).

The Shepparton Line Upgrade is delivering more frequent and reliable services and has allowed modern VLocity trains to travel to and from Shepparton for the first time.

Given the extensive, linear nature of the project, the assessments undertaken by Biosis covered a number of Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) areas and a diverse landscape that required careful consideration of how project impacts may impact upon cultural heritage (both Aboriginal and historical).

Outcome

Following on from our engagement for Shepparton Line Upgrade Stage 1 and Stage 2, Biosis was responsible for the pre and post-approval delivery of heritage services for the Shepparton Line Upgrade Stage 3.

As part of our engagement, Biosis delivered multiple new and amended CHMPs to better reflect on the ground project needs, and delivered compliance requirements (including archaeological salvage, inductions and other requirements) for all the relevant CHMPs across the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) and Yorta Yorta National Aboriginal Corporation (YYNAC) RAP areas. Biosis also delivered multiple Heritage Impact Statements (HIS) to support Consent applications, and letters of advice for impacts to places listed on the Victorian Heritage Inventory (VHI) and local council Heritage Overlays (HO).

Biosis is trusted to be responsive to project needs as they arise, and we have developed an excellent reputation for delivery across the Shepparton Line Upgrade programs.