The establishment of the Committee was a result of one of the principal Recommendations of the Cartland Report, which had been prepared by the South West Advisory Committee. The Report recommended that an independent authority should be appointed to examine and report upon proposed activities affecting land use in South West Tasmania. The Committee consisting of three members and was appointed by State Cabinet in August 1979. Amongst its activities were two studies. They were a Preliminary Report on Wild and Scenic Rivers (June 1980), and a Report on Proposed Hydro-Electric Development in South West Tasmania (October 1980). It also made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into South West Tasmania in January 1982.