The Queensland Heritage Act 1992 is the primary legislation by which Queensland’s historic heritage places are identified and protected, creating an environment for growing recognition of the State’s cultural heritage. The Act is administered by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and the Queensland Heritage Council, an independent statutory body. The Heritage Council has responsibility for deciding which places are entered in, or removed from, the state’s Heritage Register, providing advice to the government about cultural heritage matters and assessing applications for development of state-owned heritage places.