Project background

In mid-2023 the Heritage Council of Victoria provided funding for Heritage Victoria’s archaeology team to develop an Archaeology Management Plan to identify and list historical archaeological sites in Ballarat and Bendigo.


Ballarat is central to the story of the Victorian Goldrush – one of the most significant goldrushes in the world. Gold was first discovered at Golden Point in August 1851, establishing one of the largest migrations in history. As a result of the goldrush, Ballarat continued to develop throughout the nineteenth century as a key regional city.


Recent archaeological excavations, studies of sludge and historical mining impacts indicate that archaeological landscapes are likely to survive in good condition in parts of the city. Evidence is emerging that the remains of pubs, houses, shops, other buildings and associated artefacts from the 1850s and later nineteenth century, lie buried up to two meters below the current ground level.

1859 F Cogne, Part of main road, Ballarat East, 1859.

1859 F Cogne, Part of main road, Ballarat East, 1859.

An Archaeology Management Plan identifies locations that are likely to contain historical archaeological features, deposits and artefacts. Using historic maps and plans, images and other sources, archaeologists work out the location of potential sites.

The project archaeologists also assess the current condition and building history of properties to identify places where recent works may have removed all traces of the archaeological record.

At this stage the project will not identify all historic archaeological sites across Ballarat but it will establish a pathway and methodology that will be useful for the management of all of the city's archaeology.

The Archaeology Management Plan is only assessing and identifying historical archaeological sites. Aboriginal cultural heritage is not being considered or assessed as part of this project.

The aim of the project is to identify sites for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Inventory. The Victorian Heritage Inventory is a list of all the known historical archaeological sites in Victoria, established under the provisions of the Heritage Act 2017.

In Victoria, the Heritage Act provides ‘blanket protection’ for all historical archaeological sites, including ones that are not recorded by Heritage Victoria or listed in the Inventory. Therefore, the inclusion of a site on the Heritage Inventory should not be thought of as a new planning control that is added to a place. Rather, the addition of a site to the Inventory should be considered a strategic tool, which adds a layer of information and awareness to facilitate place management.

In the absence of clear information about the likely location of archaeological sites, there is a risk that development projects will be delayed by the unexpected discovery of archaeological remains after the project has commenced.

Under the terms of the Heritage Act it is necessary to obtain a Consent to authorise any works that may affect historical archaeological remains at a site. In most cases, Heritage Victoria will allow Heritage Inventory sites to be disturbed, subject to the undertaking of a program of archaeological investigating, recording, reporting and artefact management.

  • The historic archaeology of Ballarat relates to the story of the Victorian gold rush – one of the most significant in the world. Historic maps, lithographs, photographs and records demonstrate that archaeological values relating to the 1851 are likely to remain under the current surface, across the city.
  • New technologies, such as digital elevation modelling have highlighted that the archaeology is likely to be preserved in outstanding condition across parts of Ballarat, under metres of mining waste.
  • Heritage Council of Victoria provided funding to Heritage Victoria in mid-2023 to develop an Archaeology Management Plan for Ballarat and Bendigo.
  • The Archaeology Management Plan will identify archaeological sites across Ballarat and Bendigo based on historic potential and likely preservation. These sites will be listed on the Victorian Heritage Inventory which is a listing of known historical archaeological sites.
  • In Victoria, the Heritage Act provides ‘blanket protection’ for all historical archaeological sites, including ones that are not recorded by Heritage Victoria or listed in the Inventory.
  • Because the Heritage Act provides blanket protection for all archaeological sites, the addition of a site to the Victorian Heritage Inventory does not create a new control that did not previously exist.
  • The addition of a site to the Victorian Heritage Inventory will provide clear information about the location of archaeological sites and will add a level of certainty and strategic information to inform development and building works.
  • This new place information will reduce the risk of development delays due to the unexpected discovery of archaeological remains. In most cases, Heritage Victoria will allow Heritage Inventory sites to be disturbed, subject to the undertaking of a program of archaeological investigating, recording, reporting and artefact management.
  • The project will be completed in June-2024.

Heritage Victoria manage and make decisions about historical archaeological sites across Victoria.

Heritage Victoria will send letters to relevant owners to alert them to new Heritage Inventory listings.

More information can be found at Historical archaeology (heritage.vic.gov.au)

The Ballarat Archaeology Management Plan is a project run by Heritage Victoria at State level and is NOT a City of Ballarat project.

The City of Ballarat is assisting Heritage Victoria with community engagement.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name Heritage Victoria
Email archaeology.admin@delwp.vic.gov.au
Website www.heritage.vic.gov.au/heritage-listings/historical-archaeology