Montague Island Lighthouse was included in the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004. It has played a significant part in the history of Australian shipping and it is known for its offshore position, design and craftsmanship, association with renowned architect James Barnet and its contribution to the development of marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) on the New South Wales coast. The lighthouse is well regarded for its social values as a prominent site for tourism and its aesthetic qualities. 

The Montague Island Lighthouse was placed on the NSW State heritage register in 1999 for its historical, aesthetic and social significance, and for its research potential, rarity and representativeness.  The site holds immense cultural value for the Yuin People and the island is a gazetted Aboriginal Place. 

Situated approximately 10 kilometres south-east of Narooma, NSW, and approximately 350 kilometres south of Sydney, NSW, the lighthouse is located in the centre of Montague Island. Montague Island Lighthouse was built in 1881 to improve vessel safety along the New South Wales coastline following the trading boom of the late 19th century. Its granite tower, tapering walls, outwardly curved platform and balustrade were designed by colonial architect, James Barnet who was responsible for a number of lighthouses on the NSW coastline at the time. As a working AtoN, the lighthouse tower remains the property of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). 

Although the lighthouse originally housed a 1st Order Chance Bros. lantern, the tower now exhibits a solar-powered Vega VRB-25 beacon and runs on an automated mechanism as part of our network of AtoN. The equipment is serviced by our maintenance contractor who visits at least once each year. AMSA officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, projects, and community liaison purposes. 

The lightstation includes the keepers’ quarters which lie outside our lease and are managed by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). 

This heritage management plan is concerned mainly with the lighthouse, but addresses the management of the surrounding precinct and land. The plan is intended to guide our decisions and actions. We have prepared this plan to integrate the heritage values of the lightstation in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (EPBC Regulations 2000). 

Well-built and generally well-maintained, the lighthouse is in relatively good, stable condition. The policies and management guidelines set out in this heritage management plan strive to ensure that the Commonwealth heritage values of the Montague Island Lighthouse are recognised, maintained and preserved for future generations. 

1.1 Background and purpose

AMSA is the Commonwealth agency responsible for marine AtoN. Our network includes the Montague Island Lighthouse in NSW built in 1881.

The EPBC Act 1999 requires the preparation of management plans that satisfy the obligations included in Schedule 7A and 7B of the EPBC Regulations 2000. The principal features of this management plan are:

• a description of the place, its heritage values, their condition and the method used to assess its significance
• an administrative management framework
• a description of any proposals for change
• an array of conservation policies that protect and manage the place
• an implementation plan
• ways the policies will be monitored and how the management plan will be reviewed.

We have commissioned this heritage management plan to guide the future conservation of the place.

This plan provides the framework and basis for the conservation and best practice management of the Montague Island Lighthouse in recognition of its heritage values. The policies in this plan indicate the objectives for identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the Commonwealth heritage values of the place.

Figure 2 shows the basic planning process applied.

1.2 Heritage management plan objectives

The objectives of this heritage management plan are to:

• protect, conserve and manage the Commonwealth heritage values of the Montague Island Lighthouse
• interpret and promote the Commonwealth heritage values of the Montague Island Lighthouse
• manage use of the lightstation
• use best practice standards, including ongoing technical and community input, and apply best available knowledge and expertise when considering actions likely to have a substantial impact on Commonwealth heritage values.

In undertaking these objectives, this plan aims to:

• Provide for the protection and conservation of the heritage values of the place while minimising any impacts on the environment by applying the relevant environmental management requirements in a manner consistent with Commonwealth heritage management principles.
• Take into account the significance of the Island as a cultural landscape associated with Aboriginal people over many thousands of years. 
• Recognise that the site has been occupied by lease holders since the early 20th century. 
• Encourage site use that is compatible with the historical fabric, infrastructure and general environment. 
• Record and document maintenance works, and changes to the fabric, in the Montague Island fabric register (See Section 4 Fabric). 

The organisational planning cycle and associated budgeting process is used to confirm requirements, allocate funding, and manage delivery of maintenance activities. Detailed planning for the aids to navigation network is managed through our internal planning processes and budgeting. 

An interactive map showing many AMSA’s heritage sites, including Montague Island, can be found on AMSA’s online Interactive Heritage Lighthouse Map.^a

1.3 Methodology

The methods to prepare this plan are consistent with the recommendations of The Burra Charter. The plan addresses: 

• The history of the site based on information sourced from archival research, expert knowledge and documentary resources.
• The description of the site based on information sourced from site inspection reports and fabric registers.
• The Commonwealth heritage criterions satisfied by Montague Island as set out by the EPBC Act 1999 and EPBC Regulations (2000).

The EPBC Regulations (2000) Schedule 7A (h) (i-xiii) was used to develop the necessary policies for management of the Montague Island Lighthouse, and the Department of the Environment and Energy advised on best practice management approaches. 

The draft management plan was advertised in accordance with the EPBC Act 1999 and EPBC Regulations (2000). A response was received proposing the placement of a concessionaire on the Island. This request was passed onto NSW NPWS and was not incorporated into the final document.

The Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC) was consulted with in April 2020, and information on the Island’s history, and aboriginal associations were incorporated into the management plan. The Council’s request to erect a symbol on the island was also incorporated in this management plan and will be included within the Fabric Register section in future versions of this plan. 

Consultations with the WLALC are still currently ongoing and we anticipate further feedback. This feedback will be included in an amended version of the plan.

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service was consulted with in March 2020 and provided AMSA with feedback on the plan as a whole. Their edits relating to the history of the Island, the site’s current uses, and policies on management were incorporated into the final document. 

A developed draft was submitted to the Minister through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment where advice was sought from the Australian Heritage Council. On 26 August 2020, the Australian Heritage Council advised that the plan was not inconsistent with the Commonwealth Heritage Management Principles, and gave approval.

No updates or amendments have been made in this version of the plan. Future updates and amendments will be listed here in later versions.

1.4 Status

This plan has been adopted by AMSA in accordance with Schedule 7A (Management plans for Commonwealth Heritage places) and Schedule 7B (Commonwealth Heritage management principles) of the EPBC Regulations (2000) to guide the management of the place and for inclusion in the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

1.5 Authorship

This plan has been prepared by AMSA. At the initial time of publication, Australian Maritime Systems Group (AMSG) is the contracted maintenance provider for the Commonwealth Government’s AtoN network including Montague Island Lighthouse.

1.6 Acknowledgements

AMSA acknowledges the professional assistance of Peter Marquis-Kyle, heritage architect.

1.7 Language

For clarity and consistency, some words in this plan such as restoration, reconstruction, and preservation, are used with the meanings defined in the Burra Charter ¹. See Appendix 1 Glossary of heritage conservation terms. Also see Appendix 2 Glossary of lighthouse terminology relevant to Montague Island Lighthouse, which sets out the technical terminology used in this plan.

1.8 Previous reports

A Supplementary Information Report (NPWS Lighthouses – Conservation Management and Cultural Tourism Plan) was completed by Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd in November 2001 for the NSW NPWS.

A Heritage Lighthouse Report was completed for AMSA by heritage architect Peter Marquis-Kyle in 2007.

1.9 Sources of information and images

This plan has incorporated a number of sources including the National Archives of Australia (NAA), National Library of Australia (NLA), as well as the AMSA heritage collection.

Photos with no credit are solely owned by AMSA.

Website URLs are referenced via superscript (for example Montague Island Reportx) and located at the end of the document (See Website Links).

^{1 Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter (2013)}

2.1 Location

The Montague Island lighthouse is located on Montague Island, a protected nature reserve found offshore from the South Coast region of New South Wales. The lighthouse and island are approximately 10 kilometres south-east of Narooma, NSW, and approximately 350 kilometres south of Sydney, NSW. 

Lighthouse coordinates: 36° 15.1143 ‘S, 150° 13.6035 ‘E

2.2 Setting and landscape

The lighthouse is located on the Montague Island Nature Reserve, a protected reserve approximately 82 ha in size. The island is outlined with rugged, steep cliffs with landing only possible at two sheltered locations on the western side of the island. 

Montague Island is a gazetted Aboriginal Place.

Fauna and flora

Classified as a nature reserve by NPWS, Montague Island is recognised for its abundance of unique fauna and flora.

The island supports NSW’s largest colony of Eudyptula minor (or little penguin) that breeds on the island. Additionally, Australian fur seals and New Zealand fur seals are regular visitors to the Island with up to 10,000 counted along the shores during peak season.

Humpback whales are frequently spotted passing Montague Island during spring, with some Orcinus orca, or killer whales, occasionally seen in nearby waters.

The island has approximately 90 bird species that migrate to the area throughout the year. Of these, 12 species are known to nest on the island including short-tailed shearwaters, wedge-tailed shearwaters, Gould’s kites, peregrine falcons, swamp harriers, crested terns, and silver gulls.

Over 200 plant species have been identified on Montague Island.² Whilst many are introduced to the island, the majority of the island is covered by Lomandra longifolia (mat-rush). Other flora recorded includes:

• tussock grass, found along the Island’s northern slopes
• Westringia fruticosa
• Pelargonium austral
• Melaleuca armillaris
• Correa alba, found along the cliff edges
• coastal wattle

A Montague Island Nature Reserve Plan of Management was published in 1996 and offers additional information on the environmental management of the reserve.^b NPWS is currently undertaking a review of this plan.

2.3 Lease and ownership

The Montague Island lighthouse and surrounding land is managed by the New South Wales State Government. AMSA lease the lighthouse and land from NPWS.

The AMSA lease consists of one parcel of land (Lot 1) which encompasses the lighthouse tower alone.

The current lease was signed on 9 July 1998, commencing on 1 July 1997 and terminating on 30 June 2022, with an option to renew for a further 25 years. The lease stipulates that AMSA must comply with any applicable management plan and state environmental laws.

Due to public interest in Montague Island and the lighthouse, a tourism license was signed between AMSA and the NSW Minister for the Environment commencing 1 July 1997, ceasing on 30 June 2022 with a renewal option for a further 25 years.

Montague Island is a gazetted Aboriginal Place and a Native Title claim application is currently active under the South Coast People.

2.4 Listings

The table below details the various heritage listings of the Montague Island Lightstation. 

2.4 Access

Montague Island is only accessible to authorised vessels and approved contracted boat operators. No private vessel landing is permitted. Vehicular access from the landing site at Jetty Bay to the lighthouse is available for authorised vehicles only. Access trails, some of which are historically significant, are maintained on the southern section of the island. The Montague Island Lightstation features as a landmark on the Montague Island walking track which ensures pedestrian access to the site. Access inside the lighthouse is restricted to authorised personnel and tour groups only.
 

^{2. Heyligers, P.C., and L.G. Adams, ‘Flora and vegetation of Montague Island – past and present‘, Cunninghamia 8, 2004 pg. 285–305}

3.1 General history of lighthouses in Australia

The first lighthouse to be constructed along Australian soil was Macquarie Lighthouse, located at the entrance to Port Jackson, NSW. First lit in 1818, the cost of the lighthouse was recovered through the introduction of a levy on shipping. This was instigated by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who ordered and named the light.

The following century oversaw the construction of hundreds of lighthouses around the country. Constructing and maintaining a lighthouse were costly ventures that often required the financial support of multiple colonies. However, they were deemed necessary aids in assisting the safety of mariners at sea. Lighthouses were firstly managed by the colony they lay within, with each colony developing their own style of lighthouse and operational system. Following Federation in 1901, which saw the various colonies unite under one Commonwealth government, lighthouse management was transferred from state hands to the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service.³

3.2 Lamps and optics – an overview

Lighthouse technology has altered drastically over the centuries. Eighteenth century lighthouses were lit using parabolic mirrors and oil lamps.

Documentation of early examples of parabolic mirrors in the United Kingdom, circa 1760, were documented as consisting of wood and lined with pieces of looking glass or plates of tin. As described by Searle, “When light hits a shiny surface, it is reflected at an angle equal to that at which it hit. With a light source is placed in the focal point of a parabolic reflector, the light rays are reflected parallel to one another, producing a concentrated beam”⁴.

In 1822, Augustin Fresnel invented the dioptric glass lens. By crafting concentric annular rings with a convex lens, Fresnel had discovered a method of reducing the amount of light absorbed by a lens. The Dioptric System was adopted quickly with Cordouran Lighthouse (France), which was fitted with the first dioptric lens in 1823. The majority of heritage-listed lighthouses in Australia house dioptric lenses made by others such as Chance Brothers (United Kingdom), Henry-LePaute (France), Barbier, Bernard & Turenne (BBT, France) and Svenska Aktiebolaget Gasaccumulator (AGA of Sweden). These lenses were made in a range of standard sizes, called orders—see ‘Appendix 2. Glossary of lighthouse Terms relevant to Montague Island Lighthouse’.

Early Australian lighthouses were originally fuelled by whale oil and burned in Argand lamps, and multiple wicks were required in order to create a large flame that could be observed from sea. By the 1850s, whale oil had been replaced by colza oil, which was in turn replaced by kerosene, a mineral oil.

In 1900, incandescent burners were introduced. This saw the burning of fuel inside an incandescent mantle which produced a brighter light with less fuel within a smaller volume. Light keepers were required to maintain pressure to the burner by manually pumping a handle as can be seen in Figure 12.

In 1912, Swedish engineer Gustaf Dalén, was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for a series of inventions relating to acetylene-powered navigation lights. Dalén’s system included the sun valve, the mixer, the flasher, and the cylinder containing compressed acetylene. Due to their efficiency and reliability, Dalén’s inventions led to the gradual demanning of lighthouses. Acetylene was quickly adopted by the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service from 1915 onwards. 

Large dioptric lenses, such as that shown in Figure 13, gradually decreased in popularity due to cost and the move towards unmanned automatic lighthouses.

Figure 13. Dioptric lens on display at Narooma

By the early 1900s, Australia had stopped ordering these lenses with the last installed at Eclipse Island in Western Australia in 1927.

Smaller Fresnel lenses continued to be produced and installed until the 1970s when plastic lanterns, still utilising Fresnel’s technology, were favoured instead. Acetylene remained in use until it was finally phased out in the 1990s. 

3.2 The Commonwealth lighthouse service 

When the Australian colonies federated in 1901, it was decided that the new Commonwealth Government would be responsible for coastal lighthouses. This included only the major lights used by vessels travelling from port to port, not the minor lights used for navigation within harbours and rivers. There was a delay before this new arrangement came into effect and the existing lights continued to be operated by the states. 

Since 1915, various Commonwealth departments have managed lighthouses. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), established under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990, is now responsible for operating Commonwealth lighthouses and other marine aids to navigation, along with its other functions.

3.3 New South Wales lighthouse service administration

The table below details the timeline of lighthouse service administration from 1915 to present.

3.4 Montague Island: a history

Indigenous history

Vivienne Mason, Chairperson of Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council, Elder and Knowledge Holder of the Yuin Tribe shared knowledge of the land the light house sits on: 

“A Dreamtime Story of my people, the Yuin, is that Barranguba (Montague Island) is the son of Gulaga, the mother mountain, (Mt Dromedary). Barranguba being the eldest son wanted to leave his mother, Gulaga. Gulaga agreed that Barranguba could move, but only on the condition that she would be able to watch over him. Barranguba went off-shore to live, far enough away from his mother but close enough for her to watch over him. Gulaga’s youngest son, Nadjanuka also wanted to leave but Gulaga insisted he stayed close by on the land to protect the Budjarns (Birds). To this day Barranguba, Nadjanuka and Gulaga are connected through her umbilical cord (an Underwater Freshwater Stream running from Gulaga to Barranguba and Nadjanuka. There is a fresh water spring on Barranguba but the location has been lost.”

‘Also, we were told, many years ago, that Aboriginal paintings were found on Barranguba, but they are now hidden due to the changes to the land. Legend has it that Barranguba is a Men’s Place but this is debated, it depend on who you speak to.”

It is recorded in a newspaper article from the first settlers of Narooma (copy at the National Library), that a tragedy befell a group of young Aboriginal men and women, who were returning from their annual seabird egg gathering expedition from Barranguba. These young people were lost at sea when a freak wave hit them.

Early European history

In 1770, British navigator and cartographer James Cook sailed along the New South Wales coast. Although recording the ‘camel-shaped mountain’ which he named Mount Dromedary, Cook did not recognise the island as separate to the mainland and mistakenly recorded it as part of the headland. 

It was not until 1790 that the convict ship Surprise determined Montague was in fact an island. It is alleged the island was named after George Montague Dunk, the Earl of Halifax.

Research on the early European history of the island yielded little information. During the mid-19th century, a gold rush occured in Nerrigundah, north of Narooma, and it is alleged sea bird eggs were collected from Montague to sell to the miners. Records indicate a number of fishing shacks existed at some point on the western shore of the island, however no substantial structures were built and no remains have been located.⁹

3.5 Planning a lighthouse

Why Montague Island?

Due to its offshore and elevated position, Montague Island offered the perfect vantage point for a light. 

In 1873, the erection of a lighthouse on Montague Island (known then as Montagu) was first proposed during a conference between the principal officers of the Marine Departments of the Australian Colonies chaired by Captain Hixson. However, it was not until 1877 that funds were allocated by the New South Wales Government to carry out the project.¹⁰ 

Design 

James Barnet, colonial architect for New South Wales, was placed in charge of designing the plans for a light at Montague Island. Barnet, alongside prospective tenders, visited the Island and assisted in selecting the best location for a lightstation. His blueprints, which were created following this visit, featured a granite tower 12-m in height with tapering walls and one upper platform.

James Barnet (1827-1904) 

Born 1827, Barnet studied drawing, design and architecture in London before he and his family migrated to Australia c.1854. Appointed Clerk of Works for Sydney University, Barnet later joined the Colonial Architect’s Office in 1860. By 1865, he was named Colonial Architect, a position he held until his retirement in 1890. In that timeframe, Barnet was responsible for the architectural design of numerous public works including allegedly 15 lighthouses. His design style, adopted from Francis Greenway’s Macquarie Light (1818), served as the quintessential NSW style until the end of the 19th century.

Construction

Tenders for the construction of a light at Montague Island were called October 1878. The initial successful contractor, J Musson and Co., had their offer of £13,900 accepted for an estimated 15-month construction period. The contract was signed on the 5 February 1879. 

Work commenced with Mr John Kelly acting as foreman of works on behalf of the government, and Mr James Peters for the contractors. However, poor management and inadequate materials hindered work running smoothly onsite. The lighthouse was to stand on a large boulder overlooking the Island, and Barnet strictly instructed the boulder not to be touched. Contrary to these express orders, the contractor fired a shot at the boulder which detached a large mass and caused the position of the Tower to be altered by several feet. Following this, J Musson and Co. gave up the contract. Tenders were called once more in July of 1879, however no successful contracts were secured.¹¹

Fresh tenders were called again in 1880 following renewed interest from the government and WH Jennings was deemed the successful contractor for £16,950. On Barnet’s blueprints for the tower, (See Figure 17) the names of the original contractors can be seen crossed out and replaced by WH Jennings. The foundation stone was laid on St Patricks Day 1881. Jennings recorded the progress of the construction:

Work was carried out effectively and the lighthouse was completed in October 1881, four months within the contract time. The overall cost of the construction, including apparatus, amounted to £25,981 following completion.

Equipment when built

Following construction, Montague lighthouse stood as a 21 m tall circular granite tower with a light source powered by kerosene, providing an intensity of 45,000 cd. 

The 910 mm focal radius, 8 panels, 1st Order Chance Bros. lantern and lens rotated on a roller pedestal which operated by clockwork mechanism and weights in the central tube within the tower.

The lens revolved every four minutes with:

“a steady flare for 30 seconds, then an eclipse for 13 seconds, and then a brilliant flash lasting four seconds, followed by another eclipse of 13 seconds’ duration.” ¹³

3.6 Lighthouse keepers

Due to the island’s isolation, lightkeeping was a demanding livelihood. The arrival of food and supplies from passing steamers lay at the mercy of the weather and swell of the surrounding waters. In 1952, the lightkeepers and their families went without fresh food for 10 days, eventually resorting to hunting wild goats roaming the Island. ¹⁴

Tragedy was also a common theme on the island. The lack of medical assistance available, and the inability to traverse the passage separating the island from the mainland, meant deaths among lightkeepers and their families occured. Head keeper, John Burgess, lost two of his children in the 1880s, one to whooping cough and the other to an unknown illness, and an assistant keeper Charles Townsend died after being thrown from his horse in 1894.

Mrs John Burgess’s letter to the local newspapers exemplified the consequences of isolation in 1894:

I have been a lighthouse keeper’s wife for nearly fifteen years, both at South Solitary and Montague Islands. During that period several deaths have occurred in my family and those of the assistants, also accidents. We never could procure assistance till too late; although steamers pass both north and south frequently, they do not seem to see when we have a distress signal flying from our flagstaff. ¹⁵

The graves of the Burgess children and Mr Townsend, which are located nearby the lighthouse and cottages, are a stark reminder of the dangers faced in taking up lightkeeping in isolated locations.¹⁶

The move to automate the lighthouse in the 1980s faced controversy among keepers and local communities who feared it would lead to its dilapidation.¹⁷

Eventually however, the lighthouse was officially de-manned in 1986 following the station’s automation.

3.7 Chronology of major events

The table below details the major events to have occurred at the Montague Island Lightstation.

3.8 Changes and conservation over time

The Montague Island Lighthouse has undergone minimal changes since its construction in 1901. Changes that have been made were largely in relation to the light source and electrical systems. The following sections detail the changes made to the lightstation.

The Brewis Report (1913)

In 1911, Commander CRW Brewis, retired naval surveyor, was commissioned by the Commonwealth Government to report on the condition of existing lights and to recommend any additional ones.

Brewis visited every lighthouse in Australia between June and December 1912 and produced a series of reports published in their final form in March 1913. These reports were the basis for future decisions.

Brewis’ recommendations for Montague Island included changing the character of the light, inserting a new clockwork mechanism and pedestal and installing new wireless telegraph equipment.

Due to developments in technology, the Montague Island Lighthouse was modified multiple times to improve its use as an AtoN.

Conservation Works

The table below details the major rectification works carried out on the Montague Island Lighthouse.These works have been undertaken as proactive measures to preserve the tower’s fabric and materials.

3.9 Summary of current and former uses

From its construction in 1881, the Montague Island Lighthouse has been used as a marine AtoN. Its AtoN capabilities remain its primary use. 

The Montague Island Lighthouse as a key tourism site developed over recent decades following the transferral of the Island to the NPWS, and the keepers’ cottages are now used for tourist accommodation.

The Montague Island Lightstation precint is now used:

• to house NPWS staff stationed on the island, as well as accommodating researchers and tour guides
• a key tourism site, with facilities.

3.10 Summary of past and present community associations 

Aboriginal associations The Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council shared with AMSA the following: 

“The language spoken is Dhurga. Both Walbunja Yuin and Djirridjan Yuin claim connection to Barranguba. Please note that all Yuin people have a connection to Barranguba, Nadjanuka and Gulaga as they forever protect their people. 

Today our people are restricted from accessing our special places which is due to white man’s laws and regulations.” 

AMSA is currently working to erect a symbol on the island to acknowledge the Yuin people’s Elders, past, present and future generation. 

Local, National, and International associations 

Montague Island maintains firm state and national associations owing to its standing as a nature reserve under the NPWS. Montague Island Nature Reserve hosts one of the longest running seabird research programs in the world. This, combined with the unique species present, the accessibility of the island and its geographical location and significant size highlights the importance of Montague Island ecologically and scientifically. The nature reserve offers a protective sanctuary to species of local and national concern. 

The lighthouse itself maintains strong associations with past lighthouse keeping families owing to the significant period of time the lightstation was manned. 

3.11 Unresolved questions or historical conflicts 

A number of dates are disputed amongst past research. 

The year the lighthouse was de-manned is disputed. Some sources credit 1985, others credit 1986. There is also uncertainty over which year the island was handed over to the NPWS with sources citing 1987-89. 

Despite much of its history being recorded, information on the lighthouse keepers of Montague Island is relatively limited. The list of names and years of service is incomplete and very little is known about the majority of those that occupied the site for more than 80 years. 

3.12 Recommendations for further research 

Archaeological investigation of the site may reveal further information on prehistoric and historic uses of Montague Island to broaden understandings of the site’s intrinsic value.

Footnotes

^3. Figure 11 – Early example of a rotating catadioptric apparatus, made for the 1844 lighthouse at Skerryvore, Western Scotland (Steel engraving from Tomlinson’s Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts, 1854) 

^4. Searle. G, First Order: Australia’s Highway of Lighthouses, (2013). Page 34.

⁹. Brooks, G., and Assoc. NPWS Lighthouses (2001), pg. 4.

^10. Brooks, G., Assoc. NPWS Lighthouses (2001), pg. 4.

¹¹. Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 203.

¹². Quoted in Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 203.

¹³ Quoted in Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 205.

¹⁴. Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 204-205.

¹⁵. “Shipping: Montague Island,” Evening News, Dec 19, 1894

¹⁶. Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 205.

^17. “Island’s future threatened by automation,” The Canberra Times, Jan 7, 1983

¹⁸. “Fatal accident at Montagu Island,” The Daily Telegraph, Dec 10, 1894 

¹⁹. “The Montague Island Lighthouse: Another Accident,” The Daily Telegraph, Dec 14, 1894

^20. “Earthquake at Montague Island,” The Daily Telegraph, Aug 6, 1895 

²¹. “In urgent need of food: A message from Montague Island,” The Daily Telegraph, Apr 8, 1908

²². “Lighthouse Radios,” The Argus, Oct 28, 1938 

²³. “Lighthouse families marooned,” The Newcastle Sun, Aug 7, 1952

^24. “R.A.A.F. parachutes food on Montague Island,” The Canberra Times, Aug 9, 1952

^25. “Meeting to discuss lighthouse plans,” The Canberra Times, Feb 27, 1983

²⁶. “Montague Island wildlife haven,” The Canberra Times, Sept 20, 1992

²⁷. “Old lighthouse,” The Canberra Times, Jan 28, 1993

^28. CRW Brewis, Lighting of the East Coast of Australia: Cape Moreton to Gabo Island Including Coast of New South Wales (1913), pg. 21.

4.1 Fabric register 

The cultural significance of the Montague Island Lighthouse resides in its fabric, and also in its intangible aspects, such as the meanings people ascribe to it, and its connections to other places and things. The survival of its cultural value depends on a well-informed understanding of what is significant, and on clear thinking about the consequences of change. The Burra Charter sets out good practice for conserving cultural significance. Criterion under ‘Heritage Significance’ refer to the criterion satisfied within the specific Commonwealth heritage listing (see section 5.1).

Lighthouse feature: Lantern roof

Description and condition 

1880 Chance Bros part-spherical dome of copper sheets lapped and screwed to ribs. 

• Ribs – Chance Bros cast iron radial ribs
• Inner skin – none (removed)
• Ventilator – ball type with wind vane attached
• Lightning conductor – vertical pole mounted on dome, with four spikes at top, and two braces to roof sheets, eight vertical spikes attached near the gutter.
• Gutter – circular ring of cast iron pieces bolted together. Drawings indicate the lantern roof may have been overhauled around 1981.
• Ladder rail – attached to underside of gutter.
• Drip tray – copper dish suspended under ventilator, with central hole for heat tube.
• Heat tube support – framework with four radial members of rolled ferrous T-section, attached to gutter and to central ring

The lantern roof is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse, exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

Lighthouse feature: Lantern glazing

Description and condition

Chance Bros, polygonal in plan.

• panes – flat trapezoidal glass, three tiers.
• astragals – Chance Bros vertical and horizontal.
• astragals of rectangular and triangular section, bolted to gutter ring at top, and to lantern base below.
• downpipes – two short spitters inserted in bottom of gutter. Downpipes have been removed.
• handholds – two sets, fixed to cover strips.

The lantern glazing is an essential part of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

Lighthouse feature: Internal catwalk

Description and Condition

Original catwalk decking removed and replaced with a new floor supported on the original openwork cast iron brackets bolted to the upper section of the lantern base.

• floor – sheet flooring in segments, supported on pre-fabricated aluminium radial beams and cross beams, supported on the original iron brackets on the outside, and on a fabricated steel column in the middle
• ladder – fixed aluminium ladder

Heritage significance: High

Highly significant for these reasons:

• The internal catwalk is an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Lighthouse feature: External catwalk

Description and condition

1880 Chance Bros, cast iron lattice floor panels supported on openwork cast iron brackets bolted to lantern base with modern socket-head bolts.

• handrail – none

The external catwalk is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

The external catwalk contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse (criterion e).

Lighthouse feature: Lantern base

Description and condition

1880 Chance Bros, cylindrical in form. Curved panels of cast iron bolted together with flanged joints.

• Internal lining – none (removed).
• Vents round air inlet near the bottom of exterior of each panel (sealed), with internal cast iron trunk bolted on. Single large circular opening on inside of each trunk, the regulators have been removed.
• Door – iron door leaf, curved to match the lantern base. Internal frame, lining and lock all removed. Fitted with rubber weather seals, and two strongbacks, threaded studs and nuts to secure the door closed. Copper alloy hinges.

Heritage significance: High

The lantern base is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

Lighthouse feature: Lantern floor

Description and condition

1880 floor of iron checker plate supported on rolled iron I section and channel beams built into the stone tower walls. 

Holes indicate the former location of optic pedestal and clock.

Heritage significance: High

The lantern floor is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

Lighthouse feature: Light source

Description and condition

Vega VRB-25 beacon.

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Pedestal

Description and condition

Recent welded tubular aluminium post.

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Balcony floor

Description and condition

1880 granite slab floor, supported on the stone tower wall and cornice. Resilient joint caulking.

The balcony floor is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

Lighthouse feature: Balcony balustrade

Description and condition

1880 gunmetal railing, with closely spaced balusters of rectangular section and curved profile, cruciform stiffeners bolted to balusters, rectangular bottom rail, half-round top rail, turned bulbous fixing bolts at bottom.

Heritage significance: High

The balcony balustrade is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d). 

The balcony balustrade contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse (criterion e). 

The balcony balustrade demonstrates fine elements of design and craftsmanship (criterion f).

Lighthouse feature: Walls

Description and condition

1880 walls of granite with finely punched faces and drafted margins, inside and out. 

Heritage significance: High

The tower walls are both original and essential parts of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

The granite stonework of the tower walls contribute to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse (criterion e).

The tapering tower walls demonstrate fine elements of design and craftsmanship (criterion f).

Lighthouse feature: Windows

Description and condition

1880 windows with gunmetal casement sashes, hinges, latches and frames, built into stone walls. 

Heritage significance: High

The windows are both original and essential parts of the lighthouse – exhibiting one style of late-19th century lighthouses (criterion a, criterion d).

Lighthouse feature: Door

Description and condition

1880 door opening with external stone architrave with royal insignia and date 1881.

Two timber framed and sheeted door leaves hung on butt hinges in timber frame. Secured with two hasps and staples with padlocks.

Heritage significance: High

The tower door is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Lighthouse feature: Stairs

Description and condition

1880 geometric stair with cast iron treads attached to the tower walls. Wrought iron handrail and stanchions. 

Heritage significance: High

The internal tower stairs are both an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a)

Lighthouse feature: Ground floor

Description and condition

1880 concrete slab.

Heritage significance: High

The ground floor is an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Lighthouse feature: Weight tube

Description and condition

1880 riveted iron tube in the centre of the tower, between the lantern floor and the ground floor. 

Heritage significance: High 

The weight tube is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Lighthouse feature: Entrance vestibule

Description and condition

1880 timber framed, sheeted and ceiled wind lock vestibule, fitted with timber four-panel door.

Heritage significance: High

The entrance vestibule is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Lighthouse feature: Walkway / walkway stairs

Description and condition

1880 stone stair from keepers’ quarters area up to the base of the tower. Recent concrete path and aluminium railing. 

Heritage significance: High

The walkway stairs are both an original and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Lighthouse feature: Solar panels

Description and condition

14 solar panels on aluminium frame on concrete base, near the base of the tower, beside the much larger solar array used by the NPWS. 

Two cabinets containing batteries and control equipment at the rear of solar array. 

Heritage significance: Low

4.2 Related object or associated AMSA artefact 

There are no AMSA registered artefacts.

4.3 Comparative analysis

The South Solitary Island Lighthouse, first lit in 1880, bears the closest resemblance to the Montague Island Lighthouse in design and style. 

Designed by James Barnet, South Solitary Island Lighthouse stands as a mass concrete structure. Similar to Montague Island, South Solitary’s cylindrical tower was originally constructed to be slightly tapered in design with an outwardly sloping gunmetal balcony railing fitted around a Chance Bros. lantern room. The two lighthouses also share similar fittings such as the geometric cast iron stairs located within the tower. The lighthouses were both originally fitted with 1st Order Chance Bros. optical assemblies. 

Unlike Montague Island, South Solitary’s tower was painted white and the base of the tower was enclosed by a small annex which contained the oil store. 

The close stylistic resemblances of Montague Island and South Solitary Island, built one year apart, are indicative of James Barnet’s vision for NSW’s ‘highway of lights’. Despite some variation between the designs, both of the isolated island towers represent late-19th century craftsmanship and technical achievement.

5.1 Commonwealth heritage list – Montague Island Lighthouse

Statement of Commonwealth heritage significance

The following statement of significance is taken from the Montague Island Lighthouse listing on the Australian Heritage Database (Place ID: 105601)^c .

The Montague Island Lighthouse tower, opened in 1881, is significant for its long association with the development and provision of maritime aids along the New South Wales coast, and for its part in the history of Australian shipping over a considerable period (criterion a). (Themes: 3.8.1 Shipping to and from Australian ports, 3.16.1 Dealing with hazards and disasters).

The granite tower, with tapering walls, outward curving platform and curved balustrade, is a well-proportioned structure displaying very fine elements of design and craftsmanship. The tower is also a good example of a late-19th century light tower on the NSW coast (criterion f, criterion d).

The Montague tower is one of the only two offshore island lighthouses along the NSW coast (criterion b).

Additionally significant is the fact that the tower was designed by NSW Colonial Architect James Barnet. Barnet played a seminal role into the development of the colony’s architecture over 25 years (criterion h).

The island and the lightstation are socially significant on account of the large numbers of visitors to Montague, the tower’s high visibility from the coast and the incorporation of the tower into local tourism (criterion g).

The tower’s fine design and granite stonework, its landmark status along this part of the coast, the lack of modern visual intrusions, and the tower’s contrast with the island’s rounded granite slabs and treeless topography are all responsible for the tower having considerable aesthetic qualities (criterion e).

Commonwealth heritage values – criteria

There are nine criteria for inclusion in the Commonwealth Heritage List and meeting any one of these is sufficient for listing a place. These criteria are similar to those used in other commonwealth, state and local heritage legislation, although thresholds differ. In the following sections, the Montague Island Lighthouse is discussed in relation to each of the criteria as based on the current Commonwealth Heritage Listing Place ID 105601.

5.2 NSW State heritage register – Montague Island Lighthouse

The statement of heritage significance and the information from the table below was taken from the Montague Island Lightstation listing on the New South Wales State Heritage Register (SHR). Listing ID: 01000.^d

NSW State heritage register – statement of heritage significance

Montague Island Lightstation and its setting are highly significant as one of a collection of lighthouses which combine the natural values of a rugged coastal island with the cultural values of a prominent landmark and isolated outpost associated with the development of coastal shipping in the late 19th century.

NSW State heritage values – criterion

These heritage values, identified and explained within the Commonwealth Heritage List and the State Heritage Register, will form the basis of the management of the Montague Island Lighthouse. In the event of necessary works, all criteria will be consulted to inform best practice management of the values associated with the lightstation. (See Section 7 – Conservation management policies for further information on strategies to conserve Montague Island Lighthouse heritage values).

5.3 Condition and integrity of the commonwealth heritage values

A heritage monitoring program was implemented in 2016. Each site is visited and reviewed every two years where the heritage fabric and values of the site are evaluated. Assessment of the condition and integrity of lighthouse’s values are derived from the latest available Heritage Asset Condition Report produced by AMSA’s maintenance contractor.

As a whole, the Montague Island Lighthouse demonstrates good condition. The lighthouse also demonstrates medium-high integrity. Some changes to the lighthouse, such as the removal of the original Chance Bros. lens and lantern and original internal catwalk, have had a slight impact on integrity.

5.4 Gain/loss of heritage values

Evidence for the potential gain or loss of heritage values will be documented within this section of future versions of this heritage management plan.

6.1 Implications arising from significance

The Commonwealth statement of significance (see Section 5.1) demonstrates the Montague Island Lighthouse is a place of considerable heritage value due to its contribution to the establishment of New South Wales ‘highway  of lights’, and its assistance to the east coast shipping at the turn of the twentieth century.

The implication arising from this assessment is that key aspects of the place should be conserved to retain this significance. The key features requiring conservation include:

• the continued use of the lighthouse as an AtoN
• the architectural quality of the building
• The interior spaces and features, which are notable for their design, details, and/or their original lighthouse function. These include:
  • intermediate floors
  • ground floor
  • spiral staircase and weight tube
  • lantern room
  • entrance vestibule
• The external spaces and features, which are notable for their design, details, and/or their original lighthouse function. These include:
  • lantern roof and glazing
  • external catwalk and balcony, including fixtures
  • lighthouse tower walls
  • windows and doors
  • walkway/walkway stairs

Referral and approvals of action

The EPBC Act (1999) requires approval from the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for all actions likely  to have a significant impact on matters of National Environmental Significance (NES).

The Act provides that actions:

• Taken on Commonwealth land which are likely to have a significant impact on the environment will require the approval of the Minister.
• Taken outside Commonwealth land which are likely to have a significant impact on the environment on Commonwealth land, will require the approval by the Minister.
• Taken by the Australian Government or its agencies which are likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere will require approval by the Minister.
• The definition of ‘environment’ in the EPBC Act (1999) includes the cultural heritage values of places.

Heritage Strategy

If an Australian Government agency owns or controls one or more places with Commonwealth heritage values, it must prepare a heritage strategy within two years from the first time they own or control a heritage place (section 341ZA). 

A heritage strategy is a written document that integrates heritage conservation and management within an agency’s overall property planning and management framework. Its purpose is to help an agency manage and report on the steps taken to protect and conserve the Commonwealth heritage values of the properties under its ownership or control.

The heritage strategye for AMSA’s AtoN assets was completed and approved by the Minister in 2018.

6.2 Framework: sensitivity to change

A heritage asset condition report is a written document that details the heritage fabric of a site with an in-depth description of each  architectural and structural element. The document includes: a brief history of the site, the Commonwealth Heritage statement of significance and value criteria, a heritage significance rating for each individual element, and a catalogue of artefacts on-site.

The document is also accompanied by up-to-date photos of each structural element.

This document operates as a tool for heritage monitoring, and is reviewed and updated biennially. 

Due to the site’s desired intactness and aesthetic qualities, the Montague Island Lighthouse is of high significance. Therefore, work actioned by AMSA on the lighthouse’s fabric harnesses the potential to reduce or eradicate the significance of the site’s heritage values. 

Conservation works, including restoration and reconstruction, or adaption works of the absolute minimum so as to continue the lighthouse’s usefulness as an AtoN are the only works that should be actioned by AMSA on Montague Island Lighthouse. Some exceptions are made for health and safety requirements, however any and all work carried out must be conducted in line with heritage considerations and requirements of the EPBC Act.

The table below demonstrates the level of sensitivity attributed to the various elements of the fabric register in the face of change. These are measured on a high-moderate-low spectrum depending on the action’s possible threat to the site’s heritage values (definitions listed below).

High sensitivity

High sensitivity to change includes instances wherein a change would pose a major threat to the heritage value of a specific fabric, or the lightstation as a whole. A major threat is one that would lead to substantial or total loss of the heritage value.

Moderate sensitivity

Moderate sensitivity to change includes instances wherein a change would pose a moderate threat to the heritage value of a specific fabric, or would pose a threat to the heritage significance of a specific fabric in another part of the building. A moderate threat is one that would diminish the heritage value, or diminish the ability of an observer to appreciate the value.

Low sensitivity

Low sensitivity to change includes instances wherein a change would pose little to no threat to the heritage value of a specific fabric, and would pose little to no threat to heritage significance in another part of the building.

6.3 Statutory and legislative requirements

Below are listed the various Acts and Code that influence the management of the Montague Island Lighthouse in terms of heritage, navigation, and work health and safety.

6.4 Operational requirements / occupier needs

As a working AtoN, the operational needs of the Montague Island Lighthouse are primarily concerned with navigational requirements. 

Operational details and requirements

Below are the operational details and navigational requirements of the Montague Island light as outlined by AMSA.

The existing licence between AMSA and the NPWS for tour operation within Montague Island Lighthouse includes additional operational requirements. Access is required by the licencee to conduct tours inside the lighthouse tower (in- keeping with AMSA work safety requirements). The tourism licencee must comply with any requirements, notices or orders any government agency having jurisdiction or authority in respect of the land or the use of the land. 

Tourism licencees must have an adequate understanding of the site’s heritage values, and  new staff must be educated in the site’s history and significance.

AMSA’s goals

Under the Navigation Act 2012, AMSA is responsible for maintaining a network of marine  AtoN around Australia’s coastline assisting mariners to make safe and efficient passages. AMSA’s present network of 480 marine aids to navigation include traditional lighthouses (like the Montague Island Lighthouse), beacons, buoys, racons, and automatic  identification  system stations, broadcasting tide gauges and a current meter. 

Technological developments in the area of vessel traffic management have also contributed  to increase the safety of navigation  and helped promote marine environment protection. AMSA aims to meet international standards for the reliability of lighthouses set by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

At the time of preparing this management plan,  the major goal for the Montague Island Lighthouse primarily encompassed continuing its utilisation as an AtoN, while up-keeping the appropriate maintenance to conserve and preserve the heritage values of the lightstation.

Lighthouse performance standards

AMSA aims to meet international standards for the reliability of lighthouses set by IALA. The Montague Island light is designated as an IALA Availability Category 2 aid to navigation (within a scale of Category 1 to Category 3, Category 1 aids are most critical). Category 2 aids have an availability target  of 99.0 per cent.

Access to the Lighthouse

One practical effect of this performance standard  is that the operational equipment and structure of the light need to be kept in good repair by regular preventative maintenance and  equipment  that fails is repaired quickly. Routine maintenance and emergency repairs are carried out by AMSA’s maintenance contractor. The contractor needs reliable access to the site for this work, and AMSA officers also need access for occasional inspections of the site including for auditing of the contractor’s performance.

6.5 Proposals for change

Preventative maintenance works are carried out on the lightstation to maintain its status as a working marine AtoN and to assist in the site’s conservation. 

A list of scheduled preventative maintenance work is identified within the 12/03/2020 AMSG maintenance inspection report.

The information provided below was taken from this report:

6.6 Potential pressures

A significant pressure that harnesses the potential to effect the Commonwealth heritage values of the place would be the obligation to remove or replace original fabric materials from the lightstation owing to unavoidable and irreversible deterioration. 

Increasing tourism on Montague Island has potential to cause additional wear and tear to the precinct.

6.7 Process for decision-making

Processes for decision-making are required in the event of incidents that impact the heritage values of the site. The following incidents are included due to their likelihood of occurrence at the Montague Island Lighthouse.

Policies

Note: The management of sensitive information is not relevant to AMSA’s heritage strategy and therefore bears no relevance in this management plan. 

Fabric and setting 

Policy 1—Protect and conserve the significant external and internal fabric of the lightstation, including existing buildings, layout and setting. 

AMSA’s main purpose is to facilitate ongoing operation of the site as a marine AtoN while preserving the site’s heritage values. As part of a heritage monitoring program, Heritage Asset Condition Reports are produced for each site every two years which evaluates the condition of the heritage fabric and values. Routine servicing is also carried out by maintenance contractors. Regular written reports from these visits will be sent to AMSA for review and any work requirements identified will be scheduled accordingly. Should for some unforeseen reason the site no longer be viable as a marine AtoN, ownership will be passed to an appropriate state of federal authority to ensure preservation of the heritage assets.

Implementation strategy:

• Continue scheduled periodic maintenance of the lighthouse and marine aid to navigation to ensure its condition is monitored for early warning of deterioration.
• Continue the scheduled heritage monitoring visits to Montague Island and review Heritage Asset Condition Reports.
• Arrange for maintenance to be carried out on the lighthouse as required while continuing to operate as an AMSA marine aid to navigation.
• Continue replacement and upgrading of marine aid to navigation equipment in the lighthouse as required to meet AMSA’s service commitment, in a manner that preserves the original fabric of the lighthouse.
• Maintain information on the heritage fabric of the lighthouse including any and all actions, treatments and inspection outcomes within the heritage fabric register. See section 4.1 for fabric register.
• Conserve all the fabric elements identified as significant in the heritage fabric register.

Uses

Policy 2—Install and operate equipment in the lighthouse, so that it continues to function as an effective marine aid to navigation, in such a way as to impose the least possible harm to the significant fabric.

Montague Island Lighthouse’s use as a working marine AtoN is a high priority. The carrying out of maintenance, including upgrades to navigational equipment, is necessary to its function and to the continuation of marine safety along the New South Wales coast. In the event of the installation and/or upgrade to AtoN equipment, proper precaution will be taken to ensure the least possible harm is done to significant fabric.

Implementation strategy:

• Monitor Montague Island’s AtoN equipment and propose maintenance in the instance of necessary installation or removal.
• Outline all possible risks to significant fabric, external and internal, associated with the installation, removal and operation of navigational equipment.
• Ensure works carried out are those that ensure the least possible harm to significant fabric.
• When necessary, seek expert heritage conservation advice on best practice management of the site during installation, removal and operation of navigational equipment.

Policy 3—Monitor possible impacts to the site resulting from tourism, and control appropriate access to the lighthouse for contractors and visitors. 

The Montague Island Lighthouse attracts hundreds of visitors each year. Although access inside the lighthouse is restricted to authorised personnel only such as contractors and AMSA employees, official tour groups also oversee the admittance of tourists from sunrise to sunset. AMSA personnel and contractors require easy access inside the lighthouse precinct and tower for periodical site visits to carry out inspections and routine maintenance. 

Implementation strategy:

• Ensure control on access to all buildings within the precinct is maintained by periodically inspecting restricted access areas on the precinct and enforcing security checks. 
• Inspect lighthouse for signs of wear and tear attributed to visitor intake.
• The maintenance of the light holds priority over official tours inside the lighthouse and some delays in the tour guide service may be required during inspections and routine maintenance.
• Ensure access to the lightstation complies with workplace health and safety measures.
• Ensure general public access admittance inside the lighthouse is monitored and supervised by NPWS. 
• Ensure access to lighthouse site is available for Indigenous people to maintain cultural traditions. 

Interpretation

Policy 4—Accurate and relevant interpretation of the history and significance of the place should be made available to site users/visitors and for offsite external research. 

AMSA will continue to have this information available through the maintenance of onsite interpretive signage and its website. 

Implementation strategy:

• All relevant information concerning the history and significance of the place will be checked for accuracy and updated appropriately. 
• Information will be presented in the form of on-site interpretive signage and online resource files, accessible to both relevant personnel and the general public. 
• This information will be maintained and updated in accordance with changes to the history and significance of the place. 

Management

Policy 5—AMSA will continue to conserve the lighthouse in accordance with Commonwealth listing requirements. 

For works requiring heritage approval, AMSA will obtain permission from any relevant state or federal authorities. Continuous or as-needed conservation works will be undertaken as required. 

Implementation strategy:

• Liaise with the relevant federal agencies when proposing work on the site. 
• Approval in writing from the appropriate federal and/or state authorities must be granted for any proposals for development.

Policy 6—The cultural significance of the lightstation will be the basis for deciding how to manage it.

AMSA’s lease encompasses land within a State Nature Reserve and gazetted Aboriginal Place, and the heritage, natural and cultural significance of the place are to be conserved. This heritage management plan includes relevant background information to support this policy (See Section 3. History).

Implementation strategy:

• Conserve the lightstation to protect its heritage values and cultural and natural significance.
• When possible, strive to maintain the original fabric of the lightstation.
• Use the Burra Charter as the primary guide for the treatment of fabric.
• Engage appropriately qualified heritage consultants when making decisions regarding impact on heritage values.
• Assess impacts on the heritage values of the place when considering proposed alterations or adaptations.
• Assess impacts on the cultural and natural values of the Nature Reserve and gazetted Aboriginal Place when considering proposed alterations or adaptations.

Policy 7—Monitor, review and report the Commonwealth heritage values of the lightstation every five years or sooner if major changes to the lightstation occur.

The Commonwealth heritage values of the lightstation are to be monitored and reported on a regular basis. This is to ensure a gain and/or loss of heritage value is identified.

Implementation strategy:

• Regularly monitor the lightstation for possible impacts on the identified Commonwealth heritage values.
• Review the current Commonwealth heritage values at least once every five years and assess any gain or loss of values.
• This review must be undertaken in the event of any major alterations to the lightstation.
• Report any changes to the Commonwealth heritage values of the lightstation.
• Update AMSA’s heritage strategy and this plan to reflect any changes identified.
• Review and update Heritage Asset Condition Report biennially.

Policy 8—Maintain historical, management and maintenance records within AMSA and make available these records.

As part of the proper process for managing change in significant places, the Burra Charter points out the importance of making records before any change. It advocates placing records in a permanent archive, and making them available where this is appropriate. AMSA’s collection of records, which include documents pertaining to heritage intervention, management and maintenance, are subject to this process. Heritage asset condition reports are routinely generated for each lighthouse and are stored in AMSA’s recordkeeping system. AMSA will continue to practice such processes via their records management systems (RMS).

Implementation strategy:

• Maintain, review and update records through existing AMSA RMS.
• Ensure records can be made available to the relevant personnel and parties.

Policy 9—Provide appropriate training and resources to all relevant AMSA staff, contractors and licencees.

The management of a heritage place is outlined within the statutory requirements of the EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations. In order to ensure best practice management of AMSA-operated lighthouses, all staff, contractors and licencees are required to have access to the appropriate training and resources in order to provide best practice conservation of the site. 

Implementation strategy: 

• Provide staff, contractors and licencees access to up-to-date versions of the AMSA heritage strategy, heritage management plans and fabric registers. 
• AMSA representatives will attend Commonwealth-run heritage workshops, programs and conferences for up-to-date information on statutory requirements and best practice management of sites of national and state heritage significance. 
• Inductions relating to AMSA’s Commonwealth Heritage obligations and the EPBC Act (1999) will be made available to relevant AMSA staff and contractors engaged with heritage sites. 
• All current and incoming tour guides operating within AMSA lighthouses will be required to take the lighthouse tour guide safety induction e-learning module once every two years to stay informed on visitor safety and lighthouse duty-of-care and the site’s heritage values. 
• Training will also be achieved through: engagement with AMSA’s Heritage Strategy and Heritage Management Plans, ongoing consultation with heritage professionals and Traditional owners, and access to key best practice guides such as Ask First, the Burra Charter, and the EPBC Act  (1999).

Policy 10—Utilise contractors and service providers with appropriate experience. 

AMSA should ensure parties carrying out work have appropriate knowledge and use effective methods to ensure the conservation of the lighthouse. 

Implementation strategy:

• Engage staff and contractors with the relevant experience and expertise concerning conservation of the lightstation.  
• If and when necessary, provide the appropriate training on heritage conservation matters for AMSA staff and other relevant parties who hold responsibility for heritage management. 

Policy 11—Seek heritage advice and apply best heritage practice. 

AMSA will continue to use in-house heritage expertise, external consultancy, or a combination of both as required in order to successfully apply best heritage practice. Should in-house heritage expertise be limited in responding to a requirement, external heritage expertise will be engaged to address the issue. 

Implementation strategy:

• Apply in-house heritage expertise when required.
• Use tools such as the Burra Charter and Working Together: Managing Commonwealth Heritage Places (Commonwealth of Australia, 2019) in measuring the likely impact of proposals. 
• Seek external heritage expertise in the event of limited in-house capability.

Policy 12—Appropriate protocol in the event of unforeseen discoveries or disturbances of heritage within the AMSA site.

AMSA’s scope of work rarely involves excavation. Should extensive work need to be undertaken, AMSA will implement a suitable cultural heritage management plan (CHMP) and seek advice from suitably qualified personnel as required. Assessments will be carried out on any potential impacts to the place’s cultural or natural significance as a nature reserve and gazetted Aboriginal Place. In the event of any unforeseen discovery or disturbance of heritage-related items within the AMSA site, notification to the appropriate organisation will occur in accordance with the conditions of the CHMP. This plan will also be updated accordingly.

Note: In most cases generally AMSA’s leases are limited to the immediate vicinity of the lighthouse and therefore this scenario is not anticipated as a likely occurrence.

Implementation strategy:

• Carry out assessments on any potential impact to natural or cultural significance prior to any excavations.
• Seek appropriate heritage advice and apply best practice in the event of unforeseen discoveries or disturbances.

Policy 13—Make this Heritage Management Plan available to all persons involved in decision-making on the management of the Lighthouse and its setting.

The plan will be made available to all personnel intrinsic to management of the lighthouse and its setting, for example AMSA maintenance contractors, staff and other relevant parties.
Implementation strategy:

• Provide links to this plan via the AMSA publicly accessible website.
• Provide copies to all relevant personnel and parties.

Future Developments

Policy 14—Adaptation of the place using methods or processes that minimize impact on heritage values and significance in accordance with Burra Charter principles.

It is likely that over time the lighthouse will house new equipment as technology changes and improves. The Burra Charter principles will be used as the basis for decision-making.

Implementation strategy:

• Assess the likely impacts of changes on the heritage values and significance of the place.
• Preserve the original fabric of the place and do only what is necessary for the continued use and care of the place.
• Engage expert heritage advice and utilise the Burra Charter in adapting the place.

Policy 15—When required, engage with adjacent landowners to maintain an appropriate setting for the lighthouse in its visual and natural context.

As the site is a nature reserve and a gazetted Aboriginal Place, any changes to the surrounding land, or AMSA leased area, requires careful consideration. AMSA will liaise with all adjacent landowners in the event of any proposed changes that may affect the setting and attempt to influence a positive outcome.

Implementation strategy:

• Engage with adjacent landowners through consultation when changes are proposed regarding the wider visual and natural context.

Policy 16—In the event of adaptive re-use or divestment (an instance(s) which would no longer place the lighthouse under AMSA control), AMSA will strive to ensure the Commonwealth and NSW State heritage values of the site are recognised and preserved.

In the event the Montague Island Lighthouse is no longer identified as a working AtoN, AMSA will withdraw their standing as lessee and hand over all authority to the lessor as required s 341ZE of the EPBC Act (1999). 

Implementation strategy:

• AMSA will negotiate with lessor to have site lease terminated. 
• All available heritage information within AMSA’s collection, including this plan, will be shared with the relevant parties to ensure the Commonwealth and NSW State heritage values values of the site are recognised and preserved.
• Community Involvement

Policy 17—Consult with indigenous and community stakeholders in the preparation of the management plan. 

AMSA will give community and Indigenous groups, as well as the general public, an opportunity to review and comment on this management plan through a public consultation process. 

Implementation strategy:

• Undertake community consultation when preparing the heritage management plan in accordance with EPBC Regulations (2000). 
• Seek advice from any relevant Indigenous communities and refer to Engage Early—Guidance for proponents on best practice Indigenous engagement 
• for environmental assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). 

Review

Policy 18—Review this plan within five years of its adoption or sooner if major changes are needed. This plan will be reviewed every five years. This review should: 

• Assess the content of the plan.
• Determine its effectiveness in protecting the identified heritage values. 
• Provide any necessary recommendations for updating or re-writing of the plan. If major changes occur at the site in the interim, this plan will be reviewed and updated earlier than the specified five years. 

Implementation strategy:

• Review this heritage management plan at least five years after its adoption. 
• Review and update this heritage management plan in the event of a major change to the lightstation. 
• Submit revised plan for approval.

8.1 Heritage implementation plan

8.2 Monitoring and Reporting

As stipulated by Schedule 7A of the EPBC Regulations (2000), the outlined implementation plan and associated policies listed above are required to be monitored and updated accordingly. This will be achieved by:

• Ensuring the implementation plan and policies are readily available for all relevant personnel. Delegating AMSA staff to periodically check the implementation plan is up-to-date and being utilised appropriately by the relevant personnel.
• Ensuring the timeframes outlined within the plan are followed.
• Delegating AMSA Response staff to review this plan and the associated policies at least every five years and determine whether its contents are relevant and effective in terms of continuing to conserve the place.

The Burra Charter, from its first (1979) version and its (2013) version, defined a set of terms that have since been widely adopted in Australian heritage conservation practice.  

Where the following terms are used in their heritage management plan, the particular meanings defined in the charter are intended. The definitions are quoted from Article 1 of The Burra Charter. ²⁹ 

A

Adaptation means modifying a place to suit the existing use or a proposed use. 

Associations mean the special connections that exist between people and a place. 

C 

Compatible use means a use which respects the cultural significance of a place. Such a use involves no, or minimal, impact on cultural significance. 

Conservation means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance. 

Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. Places may have a range of values for different individuals or groups.

F

Fabric means all the physical material of the place including components, fixtures, contents, and objects. 

I

Interpretation means all the ways of presenting the cultural significance of a place. 

M 

Maintenance means the continuous protective care of a place, and its setting. Maintenance is to be distinguished from repair which involves restoration or reconstruction. 

Meanings denote what a place signifies, indicates, evokes or expresses to. 

P

Place means a geographically defined area. It may include elements, objects, spaces and view. Place may have tangible and intangible dimensions. 

Preservation means maintaining a place in its existing state and retarding deterioration.

R 

Reconstruction means returning a place to a known earlier state and is distinguished from restoration by the introduction of new material. 

Related object means an object that contributes to the cultural significance of a place but is not at the place. 

Related place means a place that contributes to the cultural significance of another place. 

Restoration means returning a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing elements without the introduction of new material. 

S

Setting means the immediate and extended environment of a place that is part of or contributes to its cultural significance and distinctive character.

U

Use means the functions of a place, including the activities and traditional and customary practices that may occur at the place or at dependant on the place.

A

Apron paving

The concrete paving surrounding the base of the lighthouse tower.

Astragal

The bars which support the glazing of a lantern. They may also support the roof. Simply a framing member between the glazing bars in the lantern glazing. In its true meaning an astragal is a moulding that has a rounded profile. In lanterns this is almost never the case

B

Balcony

A walk way around the outside of the lantern, used for maintenance and, when  lighthouses were manned, for observing ships. Principal parts are the balcony floor and the balcony balustrade. (Synonym: gallery deck).

Balcony floor

Floor of the balcony. Montague Island’s balcony floor is 1880 granite slab. 

Balcony balustrade 

A handrail together with its supports. The supports are called balusters. Simply a railing or wall on the outer perimeter of the balcony, to prevent people from falling off the balcony. Generally made of metal stanchions and rails – Montague Island’s is 1880 gunmetal railing. 

Balcony door 

Door in the lantern base to give access to the balcony. In AMSA lanterns two doors are sometimes fitted but only one is operational. (Synonym: parapet hatch, service room door). 

Brass 

An alloy of copper and zinc, commonly used for corrosion-resistant fixings and plumbing fittings.

Bronze

An alloy of copper and tin.

C

Cast iron

A mixture of iron and carbon with a relatively high carbon content and a low melting point, produced directly from a blast furnace.

Chance Bros

English manufacturer  of  optical  apparatus, lanterns, cast iron stairs, cast iron  towers,  and other lighthouse components. The Chance family established a glass-making business in Smethwick, England in 1824 and is often described as ‘near Birmingham’. The business was absorbed into the Pilkington group of companies in 1951 and now ceases to exist.

Character

Pattern of flashes of light emitted by a lighthouse, designed to identify that particular lighthouse. 

Copper 

A red malleable metal of low resistivity.

E

Entrance vestibule

Enclosed passage or room between the outer door and the interior of the building.

External catwalk

Landing around the external face of the tower complete with hand rail. Montague Island’s is 1880 Chance Bros. cast iron lattice.

G

Glazing

Middle section of the lantern,  circular  or polygonal in plan, between the lantern roof above and the lantern base below, made up of glass panes held in a framework of glazing bars and astragals.

I

Intermediate floors

Levels found mid-way up a building.  Montague Island has two intermediate floors of iron plate. 

Internal catwalk 

Open landing inside the tower complete with handrail. Montague Island’s original internal catwalk was removed and replaced with sheet flooring supported on the original openwork cast iron brackets.

Iron

There were two common types of iron used in lighthouse construction: wrought and cast. Older lights will almost certainly contain these iron types. Wrought iron has been worked by hand and is an iron alloy with a very low carbon content in contrast to steel, it also has fibrous inclusions. Cast iron is iron which has been heated until it liquefies, and is then poured into a mould to solidify.

L

Lantern

The glazed enclosure, usually of cylindrical or polygonal shape, at the top of a lighthouse, which surrounds and protects the optical apparatus. It contains the optical apparatus, made up of the lantern roof, lantern glazing and lantern base sections.

Lantern floor

The level in a lighthouse at which the lantern is installed, and by which access may be gained to the optical system and to the inside and outside of the lantern glazing. The lantern floor is generally at or near the same level as the catwalk and can be made from steel, concrete, or timber.

Lantern glazing

The middle section of the lantern,  circular  or polygonal in plan, between the lantern  roof  above and the lantern base below, made up of glass panes held in a framework of glazing bars. On the landward side there may be blank panels in place of glass, or other opaque construction. Types of lantern glazing include: flat and curved trapezoidal panes and curved diamond/triangular panes. Montague Island  uses three tiers of flat trapezoidal glass.

Lantern roof

Roof of the lantern. Usually made of copper sheeting over a framework of rafters. Montague Island houses an 1880 Chance Bros. part spherical dome.

Lens

Assembly transparent optically refracting element of glass. The surface is usually spherical in form.
 
Light source

Electric bulbs and LEDs now illuminate most lighthouses.

Lighthouse

The principal structure of a lightstation, generally made up of a lantern, balcony and tower.

Lightstation

A precinct containing a lighthouse structure and other related buildings, for example. Keepers Cottages, store room, signal house

O

Order 

Shorthand expression of the size of an optical apparatus or lantern. At the time the system of  orders was established, when kerosene burners  were used, longer range lights needed larger  burners, and larger burners needed lens assemblies of longer focal length to ensure a sharply defined beam. In turn the lantern rooms were required to be larger to house these lens assemblies. AMSA historic lantern rooms range from 1st to 4th order.

P

Pedestal

Part of the optical apparatus, consisting of a metal column or base standing on the balcony floor inside the lantern and supporting the lens assembly and light source. Some later Chance documentation, such as their tariffs 1908, also refer to the lantern base as a pedestal.

T

Tower

Structure to support the lantern at a sufficient height above the ground. The most common types are the masonry tower, timber-framed tower, cast iron tower, and lattice tower.

Montague Island Light (AN027)

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 Schedule 7A—management Plans for Commonwealth Heritage Places

• Brewis, C. R. W., Lighting of the East Coast of Australia: Cape Moreton to Gabo Island (including coast of New South Wales) Report with recommendations as to existing lights and additional lights. Department of Trade and Customs, Australia, 1913.
• Brooks, G., and Associates PTY LTD, NPWS Lighthouses Conservation Management and Cultural Tourism Plan: Montague Island Lighthouse Supplementary Information. NSW NPWS, 1999.
• Engage Early—Guidance for proponents on best practice Indigenous engagement for environmental assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Commonwealth of Australia (2016)
• Heyligers, P.C., and L.G. Adams, ‘Flora and vegetation of Montague Island – past and present‘, Cunninghamia  8, 2004 pg. 285–305
• Marquis-Kyle, P., Heritage Lighthouse Report: Montague Island Lighthouse, AMSG, 2007.
• Marquis-Kyle, P., & Walker, M. The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, Australia ICOMOS, 2013.
• Reid, G., From Dusk till Dawn: A history of Australian lighthouses, Aus: Macmillan Co., 1988.
• Searle, G., First Order: Australia’s Highway of Lighthouses, Glenelg, SA: Seaside Lights, 2013.
• Tomlinson, C., Tomlinson’s Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts, 1854.
• “Shipping: Montague Island,” Evening News, Dec 19, 1894
• “Island’s future threatened by automation,” The Canberra Times, Jan 7, 1983 
• “Fatal accident at Montagu Island,” The Daily Telegraph, Dec 10, 1894 
• “The Montague Island Lighthouse: Another Accident,” The Daily Telegraph, Dec 14, 1894 
• “Earthquake at Montague Island,” The Daily Telegraph, Aug 6, 1895 
• “In urgent need of food: A message from Montague Island," The Daily Telegraph, April 8, 1908
• “Lighthouse Radios,” The Argus, Oct 28, 1938
• “Lighthouse families marooned,” The Newcastle Sun, Aug 7, 1952 
• “R.A.A.F. parachutes food on Montague Island,” The Canberra Times, Aug 9, 1952
• “Meeting to discuss lighthouse plans,” The Canberra Times, Feb 27, 1983
• “Montague Island wildlife haven,” The Canberra Times, Sept 20, 1992
• “Old lighthouse,” The Canberra Times, Jan 28, 1993 

Websites

• AMSA Heritage Lighthouses Interactive Map
• NSW NPWS, Montague Island Lighthouse: Montague Island Nature Reserve 
• Commonwealth Heritage List: Montague Island Lightstation Place ID 105601 
• NSW State Heritage Register: Montague Island Lightstation List ID: 01000 
• Register of the National Estate: Montague Island Lighthouse List ID: 103602
• AMSA Heritage Strategy 
• AMSA Annual Report 2017-18

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, acting pursuant to Section 341s of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, makes this heritage management plan in relation to parts of the Montague Island Lighthouse within its ownership or control.

this 5th day of November 2020

Mick Kinley
Chief Executive Officer

Copyright

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority encourages the dissemination and exchange of information provided in this publication. 

Except as otherwise specified, all material presented in this publication is provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. 

This excludes: 

• the Commonwealth Coat of Arms
• this department’s logo
• content supplied by third parties.

The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided that you attribute the work.

The details of the version 4.0 of the licence are available on the Creative Commons website, as is the full legal code for that licence.

Acknowledgements

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority acknowledges that the Lighthouse is in the traditional country of the Yuin People. 

For additional information or any enquiries about this heritage management plan, contact the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Manager Asset Capability, PO Box 10790, Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 

Phone: (02) 6279 5000 (switchboard)
Email: Heritage@amsa.gov.au
Website: www.amsa.gov.au

Attribution:

AMSA’s preference is that you attribute this publication (and any material sourced from it) using the following wording: 

Source: Australian Maritime Safety Authority Montague Island Lighthouse Heritage Management Plan – 2020 

Front cover image of PDF: © Copyright Peter Marquis-Kyle

More information

For enquiries regarding copyright including requests to use material in a way that is beyond the scope of the terms of use that apply to it, please contact us through