Heritage is now big business in Australia but many people interested in preserving historic buildings or in understanding the history of their own towns and suburbs are baffled by the technical language and complex legal machinery of the heritage professionals. A Heritage Handbook is the first concise, comprehensive guide to heritage issues in Australia. In straightforward language it explains how the idea of 'heritage' developed and outlines the recent history of the Australian heritage movement. It provides a comprehensive review of heritage legislation in each State and the Commonwealth, and shows through a series of case studies, how some major heritage issues have been contested and resolved. A Heritage Handbook emphasises the practicalities of heritage work by answering questions on: . researching the history of one's own house . interpreting a historic site . what makes a building historic . how to present a case to a local council or planning authority The most commonly used heritage terminology is discussed, and each chapter has suggestions for further reading. A Heritage Handbook is the ideal comp