This text investigates the evolution of environmental management in Australia from the onset of European colonization in 1788 through the early twentieth century. J.M. Powell, a noted historical geographer, examines the shifting attitudes toward the Australian landscape held by colonial administrators, settlers, and commercial interests. The work argues that the transformation of the continent was driven by a complex interplay between the desire for economic improvement and the emerging, often conflicting, efforts to protect natural resources. By analyzing policy documents and land-use records, the author provides a framework for understanding the origins of modern conservationist thought in the region.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the historical roots of Australian environmental policy. It is recognized for its detailed archival research and its clear articulation of the tensions between development and preservation in a colonial context.