It was first proposed in the government-appointed Committee of Inquiry into the National Estate, chaired by Mr Justice R. M. Hope, in April 1973.
The committee reported to federal parliament in August 1974 that "...uncontrolled development, economic growth and 'progress' to that time had had a very detrimental effect on Australia's national estate..." and called for "...prompt action and public education to prevent further neglect and destruction".
[1] A critical component of the commission was the creation of the Register of the National Estate,[5] which was intended as an inventory of ...those places, being components of the natural environment of Australia or the cultural environment of Australia, that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance or other special value for future generations as well as for the present community.
An example was the development of the Australian Historic Themes for use by heritage professionals at the national level, as a means for co-ordinating research and significance assessments.
[7] The commission also established criteria for the assessment of places on the Register of the National Estate, which have been subsequently adapted and adopted by most state and community heritage organisation.
[3] The AHC was ultimately abolished under the Howard Liberal-National coalition government and the Australian Heritage Council formed in its place on 19 February 2004.
[11] The 1998 Art of Place exhibition toured to several regional towns in New South Wales as well as Adelaide and Brisbane, attracting some 44,000 visitors.