4Definitions

4 Definitions (1) In this Act— S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal ancestral remains* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal ancestral remains*** means the whole or part of the bodily remains of an Aboriginal person but does not include— (a) a body, or the remains of a body, buried in a public cemetery that is still used for the interment of human remains; or (b) an object made from human hair or from any other bodily material that is not readily recognisable as being bodily material; or (c) any human tissue— (i) dealt with or to be dealt with in accordance with the **Human Tissue Act 1982** or any other law of a State, a Territory or the Commonwealth relating to medical treatment or the use of human tissue; or (ii) otherwise lawfully removed from an Aboriginal person; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal cultural heritage* amendedby No. 11/2016 s. 5(2). ***Aboriginal cultural heritage*** means Aboriginal places, Aboriginal objects and Aboriginal ancestral remains; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund*** means the fund established under Part 10A; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal cultural heritage land management agreement*** means an agreement entered into under Division 1A of Part 5; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal heritage officer* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal heritage officer*** means a person appointed as an Aboriginal heritage officer under Division 1A of Part 11; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal human remains* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9). S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal intangible heritage* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal intangible heritage*** has the meaning given by section 79B; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal intangible heritage* *agreement* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement*** means an agreement entered into under Part 5A; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal object* amended by No. 11/2016 s. 5(3). ***Aboriginal object*** means— (a) an object in Victoria or the coastal waters of Victoria that— (i) relates to the Aboriginal occupation of any part of Australia, whether or not the object existed prior to the occupation of that part of Australia by people of non-Aboriginal descent; and (ii) is of cultural heritage significance to Aboriginal people generally or of a particular community or group of Aboriginal people in Victoria; or (b) an object, material or thing in Victoria or the coastal waters of Victoria— (i) that is removed or excavated from an Aboriginal place; and (ii) is of cultural heritage significance to Aboriginal people generally or of a particular community or group of Aboriginal people in Victoria— but does not include— (c) an object that has been made, or is likely to have been made, for the purpose of sale (other than an object made for barter or exchange in accordance with Aboriginal tradition); or (d) Aboriginal ancestral remains; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal person* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9), new def. of *Aboriginal person* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Aboriginal person*** means a person belonging to the indigenous peoples of Australia; ***Aboriginal place*** has the meaning given by section 5; S. 4(1) def. of *Aboriginal tradition* amended by No. 11/2016 s. 5(4). ***Aboriginal tradition*** means— (a) the body of traditions, knowledge, observances, customs and beliefs of Aboriginal people generally or of a particular community or group of Aboriginal people; and (b) any such traditions, knowledge, observances, customs or beliefs relating to particular persons, areas, objects or relationships; ***activity*** means the development or use of land; ***approved cultural heritage management plan*** means a cultural heritage management plan approved under this Act; ***approved form*** means a form approved by the Secretary under section 190; S. 4(1) def. of *authorised officer* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***authorised officer*** means a person appointed as anauthorised officer under Division 1 of Part11; S. 4(1) def. of *buy* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9). S. 4(1) def. of *Catchment Management Authority* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Catchment Management Authority*** means an Authority within the meaning of the **Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994**; ***coastal waters of Victoria*** has the same meaning as the expression "coastal waters of the State" has in relation to Victoria under the Coastal Waters (State Powers) Act 1980 of the Commonwealth; S. 4(1) def. of *committee of management* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***committee of management*** means a committee of management appointed under the **Crown** **Land (Reserves) Act 1978**; ***contravene*** includes fail to comply with; S. 4(1) def. of *coroner* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***coroner*** has the same meaning as in the **Coroners Act 2008**; ***Council*** means the Aboriginal Heritage Council established under Part 9; S. 4(1) def. of *cultural heritage advisor* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9). ***cultural heritage agreement*** has the meaning given by section 68; ***cultural heritage audit*** has the meaning given by section 80; ***cultural heritage management plan*** has the meaning given by section 42; ***cultural heritage permit*** means a cultural heritage permit granted under this Act; ***cultural heritage significance*** includes— (a) archaeological, anthropological, contemporary, historical, scientific, social or spiritual significance; and (b) significance in accordance with Aboriginal tradition; S. 4(1) def. of *Department* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9), new def. of *Department* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Department*** means the Department of Premier and Cabinet; ***development***, in relation to land, includes the following kinds of development— (a) the construction or exterior alteration or exterior decoration of a building; (b) the demolition or removal of a building or works; (c) the construction or carrying out of works; (d) the subdivision or consolidation of land, including buildings and airspace; (e) the placing or relocation of a building or works on land; (f) the construction or putting up for display of signs or hoardings; S. 4(1) def. of *environmental and ecological knowledge* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***environmental and ecological knowledge***, in relation to Aboriginal tradition, includes knowledge of medicinal and other properties of flora and fauna, minerals and other elements of the environment; S. 4(1) def. of *Executive Director of Heritage Victoria* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***Executive Director of Heritage Victoria*** means the Executive Director within the meaning of the **Heritage Act 1995**; S. 4(1) def. of *harm* substituted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(5). ***harm***, in relation to Aboriginal cultural heritage, includes damage, deface, desecrate, destroy, disturb, injure or interfere with; S. 4(1) def. of *Head, Transport for Victoria* inserted by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 1.1(a)). ***Head, Transport for Victoria*** has the same meaning as in section 3 of the **Transport Integration Act 2010**; S. 4(1) def. of *heritage advisor* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***heritage advisor*** means a person who has the qualifications and experience, or experience or knowledge, required under section 189; S. 4(1) def. of *heritage place* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***heritage place*** has the same meaning as in the **Heritage Act 1995**; ***human tissue*** includes an organ, or part, of a human body or a substance extracted from, or from a part of, a human body; S. 4(1) def. of *inspector* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9). ***interim protection declaration*** means an interim protection declaration made under this Act; S. 4(1) def. of *land use activity agreement* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***land use activity agreement*** has the same meaning as in the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**; S. 4(1) def. of *municipal council* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1), amended by No. 9/2020 s. 390(Sch. 1 item 1.1). ***municipal council*** means a Council within the meaning of the **Local Government Act 2020**; ***Museum of Victori*a** means the premises from time to time used by the Museums Board for its activities under the **Museums Act 1983**; ***Museums Board*** means the Museums Board of Victoria established by section 10 of the **Museums Act 1983**; ***Native Title Act*** means the Native Title Act 1993 of the Commonwealth; S. 4(1) def. of *native title agreement* amended by No. 11/2016 s. 5(6). ***native title agreement*** means an indigenous land use agreement registered on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements under the Native Title Act that is made between a group of Aboriginal persons and the Minister on behalf of the State; ***native title party*** has the meaning given by section 6; ***ongoing protection declaration*** means an ongoing protection declaration made under this Act; S. 4(1) def. of *Parks Victoria* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1), amended by No. 19/2018 s. 244. ***Parks Victoria*** has the same meaning as in the **Parks Victoria Act** **2018**; S. 4(1) def. of *police officer* inserted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 1.1). ***police officer*** has the same meaning as in the **Victoria Police Act 2013**; S. 4(1) def. of *preliminary Aboriginal heritage test* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***preliminary Aboriginal heritage test*** means a test prepared under Division 2A of Part 4; S. 4(1) def. of *public cemetery* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***public cemetery*** has the same meaning as in the **Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003**; S. 4(1) def. of *public land manager* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1), amended by Nos 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 1.1(b)), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 1). ***public land manager*** means any of the following— (a) a committee of management; (b) the Secretary to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; (c) a municipal council; (d) Parks Victoria; (e) the Head, Transport for Victoria; (f) VicTrack; (g) a water authority; S. 4(1) def. of *recognition and settlement agreement* inserted by No. 62/2010 s. 92. ***recognition and settlement agreement*** has the same meaning as in the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**; ***Register*** means the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register established under section 144; S. 4(1) def. of *registered Aboriginal intangible heritage* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***registered Aboriginal intangible heritage*** means Aboriginal intangible heritage recorded by the Secretary in the Register; S. 4(1) def. of *registered Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***registered Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement*** means an Aboriginal intangible heritage agreement recorded by the Secretary in the Register; ***registered Aboriginal party*** means a body that is registered under Part 10; ***registered native title body corporate*** has the same meaning as in the Native Title Act; ***registered native title claimant*** has the same meaning as in the Native Title Act; ***registered native title holder*** means— (a) a registered native title body corporate; or (b) an entity, other than a registered native title body corporate, that is the subject of a determination of native title under the Native Title Act and is registered on the National Native Title Register established under that Act as holding native title rights and interests; S. 4(1) def. of *rehabilitate* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***rehabilitate***, in relation to land, means works using hand tools— (a) to improve the condition of the land; or (b) to prevent degradation or erosion of the land; or (c) to revegetate the land; ***relevant registered Aboriginal party*** means— (a) in relation to a cultural heritage management plan, a registered Aboriginal party that is registered for the area to which the plan relates; (b) in relation to a cultural heritage agreement, a registered Aboriginal party that is a party to the agreement; (c) in relation to a cultural heritage permit, a registered Aboriginal party that, under section 39, provides advice to the Secretary on the application for the permit; (d) in relation to an interim or ongoing protection declaration or an application for that declaration, a registered Aboriginal party for the area— (i) in which the Aboriginal place to which the declaration or application relates is located; or (ii) from which the Aboriginal object to which the declaration or application relates originated; (e) in any other case, a registered Aboriginal party that the Secretary is satisfied is a relevant registered Aboriginal party in the circumstances of that case; ***sacred*** means sacred according to Aboriginal tradition; ***secret*** means secret according to Aboriginal tradition; S. 4(1) def. of *secret or sacred object* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***secret or sacred object*** includes an Aboriginal object directly associated with a traditional Aboriginal burial; ***Secretary*** means the Secretary to the Department; S. 4(1) def. of *sell* amendedby No. 11/2016 s. 5(7). ***sell***, in relation to an Aboriginal object, means— (a) dispose of by sale, barter or exchange; or (b) agree, or offer, to dispose of by sale, barter or exchange; or (c) advertise or expose for the purpose of sale, barter or exchange; or (d) consign, or have possession of on consignment, for the purpose of sale, barter or exchange; or (e) do anything referred to in paragraphs(a) to (d) through an onlineauction house; ***sponsor***, in relation to a cultural heritage management plan, means— (a) if the plan is required under this Act in relation to an activity, the person who is seeking to undertake that activity; and (b) in any other case, the person seeking the preparation of the plan; ***State entity*** means a person or body that represents the State; S. 4(1) def. of *stop order* amendedby No. 11/2016 s. 5(8). ***stop order*** means a stop order issued under Division 2 of Part 6; S. 4(1) def. of *survey for Aboriginal cultural heritage* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***survey for Aboriginal cultural heritage*** means— (a) a survey of land, other than by disturbing or excavating the land, to discover Aboriginal cultural heritage; or (b) a survey of land for the purposes of a preliminary Aboriginal heritage test; S. 4(1) def. of *traditional or familial links* repealed by No. 11/2016 s. 5(9). S. 4(1) def. of *traditional owner* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***traditional owner*** has the meaning given by section 7; S. 4(1) def. of *traditional owner group entity* inserted by No. 62/2010 s. 92. ***traditional owner group entity*** has the same meaning as in the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**; S. 4(1) def. of *24-hour stop order* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***24-hour stop order*** means a 24-hour stop order issued under Division 3 of Part 6; S. 4(1) def. of *university* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***university*** means any of the following— (a) Australian Catholic University; (b) Deakin University; (c) Federation University Australia; (d) La Trobe University; (e) Monash University; (f) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; (g) Swinburne University of Technology; (h) The University of Melbourne; (i) Victoria University; ***use***, in relation to land, includes use or proposed use for the purpose for which the land has been, is being or may be developed; S. 4(1) def. of *VicRoads* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1), repealed by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 1.1(c)). S. 4(1) def. of *VicTrack* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***VicTrack*** means Victorian Rail Track established by section 8 of the **Rail Corporations Act** **1996** and continued under section 116 of the **Transport Integration Act 2010**; S. 4(1) def. of *water authority* inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 5(1). ***water authority*** means an Authority within the meaning of the **Water Act 1989**; ***works*** includes— (a) any physical intervention, excavation or action that may result in a change to the structure, appearance or physical nature of a place; and (b) any change to the natural or existing condition or topography of land; and (c) the removal or destruction of trees; and (d) the removal of vegetation or topsoil. S. 4(2) amended by No. 11/2016 s. 5(10). (2) If under the **Public Administration Act 2004** the name of the Department of Premier and Cabinet is changed, a reference in the definition of "Department" in subsection (1) to that Department must, from the date when the name is changed, be treated as a reference to that Department by its new name. (3) For the purposes of this Act, an object originates from an area whether it is still in its original location in that area or has been removed from that location.