The Heritage Council of Western Australia is the Government of Western Australia agency created to identify, conserve and promote places of cultural heritage significance in the state. Prior to its creation, considerable variance in policy and political controversies arose over heritage issues in Western Australia, such as the Barracks Arch and the demolition of buildings in the Perth Central Business District. It was preceded by the Western Australian Heritage Committee, which had been heavily involved in the 1988 Australian Bicentenary, and the setting up of the W.A. Heritage Trails Network.