Blackwood Heritage Consulting Pty Ltd (BHC) is fully owned and operated by Kylie Lower, principal heritage advisor, with over 16 years’ experience in cultural heritage management. We offer a range of services, provided by fully qualified consultants in the fields of:
- Archaeology
- Anthropology
- Environmental, biological and water quality studies
- Cultural heritage management
- Cultural tourism
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
Our heritage consultants are highly experienced in working within Aboriginal heritage and non-Aboriginal heritage contexts around Australia – in fieldwork, research, artefact and site analysis, and report writing and editing. We are also very close with several of the communities we work with and regularly contribute in kind support to community-based undertakings (of which we have a wide range of experience).
We provide honest and objective heritage advice based on a solid understanding of relevant legislation and from many years of management experience, while keeping updated with the latest developments in law and practice. Our assessments are made on a case-by-case basis; tailored to each individual situation for every project. Our use of hand held GPS enable PCs to record heritage and environmental locations and objects can provide near real-time advice on the spatial extent of any features located. We use ESRI products to record and process GIS data. Our integration of ‘tracklog’ data in combination with immediate shape creation of site boundaries provides a high degree of confidence in survey data and importantly, the ability to rely on that documented coverage well into the future.
BHC commits to a ‘best practice’ approach to cultural heritage and environmental management. Cultural heritage and the environment, which most Traditional Owners see as the same (all a part of the ‘Cultural Landscape’) are fragile and non-renewable. It is a valuable resource that must be properly protected and conserved. However, we understand that developments are often necessary ventures. We aim to reconcile potential conflicts based on thorough, on-the-ground investigations of project areas, and offer mitigation strategies as necessary. We apply quality management and recording methodologies, complemented by ethical practice and compliance with our legal obligations. We work closely with all relevant stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcomes while working within and complying to our legal and ethical obligations. All our projects are conducted with regular consultation with stakeholders, and completed to their satisfaction and approval.
BHC firmly believes in ethical practice and draws many of its principles from codes of ethics of national and international organisations, including: the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA), the Australian Anthropological Society (AAS), the Australian Association of Consultant Archaeologists Inc. (AACAI), the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). We also refer to a number of United Nations (UN) Conventions, including the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention). These collectively inform BHC’s ‘best practice’ approach.
BHC is also committed to providing services in a safe and sustainable manner and all aspects of our operations. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures for providing heritage services to a variety of sectors, including those located in remote regions of South Australia. We individually tailor safety management for each project that is assessed and reviewed on a daily basis. Our consultants are also fully covered by relevant insurances, including Public and Production Liability, and Professional Indemnity.
Blackwood Heritage Consulting 