Victoria's Heritage Act is Disturbing
Mineral Matters #424
The State of Victoria, southeast Australia, has a Heritage Act. Heritage sites are protected by law. Removal of items is against the law, unless permission has been granted.
Nothing wrong with that. Or is there?
It appears that the Act is a bit, how should I put it, vague. At least, in terms of the general population’s knowledge. Apparently, it doesn’t just cover designated heritage sites. The Heritage Act defines any sites that are 75 years or older, or which contain items that are at least 75 years old, as archaeological sites, even if they are not listed on any heritage registers. These are determined to be “likely” archaeological sites or artefacts.
Disturb at your peril.
This means that any artefact that is older than 75 years, anywhere in the State of Victoria, whether that be public or private land, cannot be interfered with or removed. Doing so risks a one year prison sentence or a fine of $600, or both.
The only exception is where the site is determined by the Executive Director to have low archaeological value, or is a site which has been removed from the Heritage Inventory. Easy-peasy.
The Act is only 281 pages long (here is a link to the current version if you want to read it), so anyone can understand their obligations! Read it if you are bored. 😆
I know of quite a few detectorists that will have unearthed coins dated prior to 1949. It is not that long ago really. Some people collect old mining artefacts, with a view that they are going to rust away to nothing if left in place. Keep them and you are potentially breaking the law.
What do you know about your laws relating to archaeological heritage? Comment below.
