It should explain whether the target of 3900 places is a blank cheque for the proverbial wrecking ball or a spring clean-out of places on the register deemed to be not significant.

A study of the register shows that achieving a listing is not arduous.

Just about every criteria imaginable applies - importance to our history, possessing uncommon or rare aspects of our history,atreasure trove of historical understanding, high degree of creative and technical achievement, important aesthetic characteristics, and so on.

Even third parties can nominate a place, which may affect your residence.

Appeal rights are entrenched.

If unauthorised works are carried out on the property, individuals could face fines of up to $650,000 and corporations could face fines of up to $1.3 million.

There are currently 5553 such listed properties. It may be that some are transferred from state to municipal responsibility.

Closer scrutiny may cast doubt on a property’s heritage status.

The government says two previous reviews recommended the reduction, which also has the support of the National Trust.

The government might elaborate on how the number will be reduced so significantly, because the Act entrusts supremacy in the heritage management body.

Removal of places is normally done exclusively by application.

If the government plans to have the places reduced by a unilateral action of Parliament it can expect furious opposition and an overloaded appeal process.

In modern times Tasmanians have become fiercely possessive about their architectural and cultural heritage.

The days are gone when historic buildings could be destroyed in the name of progress, or, historic dwellings could be laid bare to modifications.

Given the shrill objections to the plans in The Examiner yesterday some more detail from the government this week would be useful.