Swan Island Lighthouse is a historic site recognised by both Commonwealth and State governments for its heritage significance. The lighthouse was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004. The lighthouse has contributed to the establishment of marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) within Bass Strait. It is known for its significance as the oldest lighthouse in Bass Strait, and its association with Sir John Franklin, Governor for Van Diemen’s Land. It is also recognised for its distinctive design and aesthetic values as a rural coastal landmark.

Swan Island is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register for its contribution to the development of early 19th century AtoN. It is also recognised for its standing as a convict-period monument and its colonial Georgian design, its aesthetic and technical value, and its association with Sir John Franklin.

Built in 1845, the lighthouse is located on Swan Island, a landmass within the Waterhouse Group Islands situated within Bass Strait. The lightstation later grew to include keepers’ cottages, a jetty and boatshed. Apart from the land upon which the lighthouse tower and helipad sits, the Island is privately owned and used for holiday accommodation. AMSA leases the tower and helipad.

Originally fitted with a Wilkins and Co. revolving lens, the lighthouse now operates via a Vega VRB-25 self-contained rotating beacon on an automated mechanism as part of AMSA’s network of AtoN. The equipment is serviced by AMSA’s maintenance contractor who visits at least once each year. AMSA officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, project and community purposes.

This heritage management plan concerns the lighthouse tower, but also considers the management of the surrounding precinct and land. The plan is intended to guide decisions and actions of AMSA who continue to operate the lighthouse. AMSA has prepared this plan to integrate the heritage values of the lighthouse in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act), and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth) (EPBC Regulations).

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 the Commonwealth and State heritage values of Swan Island Lighthouse are recognised, maintained and preserved for future generations.

1.1 Background and purpose

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible for coastal aids to navigation (AtoN). AMSA’s network includes the Swan Island Lighthouse built in 1845.

Section 341S of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) requires AMSA to prepare a management plan for Swan Island Lighthouse that addresses the matters prescribed in Schedules 7A and 7B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth) (EPBC Regulations). 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.

AMSA has prepared 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 Swan 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 Swan Island Lighthouse
• interpret and promote the Commonwealth heritage values of the Swan 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 Swan Island as a cultural landscape occupied by 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 Swan Island Lighthouse fabric register (see Section 4. Fabric Register).

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 AMSA’s internal planning processes. 

An interactive map showing many of AMSA’s heritage sites, including Swan Island Lighthouse, can be found on AMSA’s Interactive Lighthouse Map¹. 

1.3 Methodology 

The methodology used in the preparation of this plan is consistent with the  recommendations of The Burra Charter and with the requirements of Chapter 5, Part 15 Division 1A of the EPBC Act. In particular, the plan: 

• details the history of the site based on information sourced from archival research, expert knowledge and documentary resources; 
• provides a description of the site based on information sourced from site inspection reports and fabric registers; and
• details the Commonwealth heritage criterions satisfied by Swan Island Lighthouse as set out by schedule 7A of the EPBC Regulations.

The criterion set out at Schedule 7A (h) (i-xiii) informed the development of the required policies for the management of Swan Island Lighthouse, in conjunction with input from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment on best practice management.

The draft management plan will be advertised in accordance with the EPBC Regulations and the comments received will be incorporated into the final document. A developed draft will then be submitted to the Federal Minister through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Heritage Branch), and in that process the Minister’s delegate will seek advice from the Australian Heritage Council. 

Consultation

In preparation of the plan, AMSA initiated contact with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, and the Cape Barren Aboriginal Association under direction from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment TAS (Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania). As of yet, no response has been received. Future versions of the plan will include an update on this consultation progress.

No updates or amendments have been made in this version of the plan. 

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 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, the Australian Maritime Systems Group (AMSG) was the contract maintenance provider for the Commonwealth Government’s AtoN network including Swan Island Lighthouse.

1.6 Acknowledgements

AMSA acknowledges the professional assistance of Dr. Robin Sim, Archaeologist.

AMSA acknowledges the assistance of TAS Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania), and TAS Parks and Wildlife Service (TPWS).

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 2. See Appendix 1 Glossary of heritage conservation terms.

Also see Appendix 2 Glossary of historic lighthouse terms relevant to Swan Island Lighthouse, which sets out the technical terminology used in this plan.

1.8 Previous reports 

A Heritage Lighthouse Report was produced by Mr Peter Marquis-Kyle, heritage architect, for AMSA in 2007. 3

A Heritage Asset Condition Report was produced by the Australian Maritime Systems Group (AMSG) for AMSA in 2019.

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.
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Footnotes

1 AMSA Interactive heritage lighthouse map, Google, (2021) 

2 The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, Australia ICOMOS, (2013).

3 Marquis-Kyle, P., Swan Island Lighthouse, Heritage Lighthouse Report, AMSG, (2007).
 

2.1 Location 

As part of the Waterhouse Group Islands located within the Bass Strait, the Swan Isles – consisting of Little Swan Island and Swan Island – are situated off the north-eastern coast of the Australian state of Tasmania.

The Swan Island lighthouse is located on Lighthouse Point – the northeast end of the main Swan Island.
   
Coordinates: 40º 43.6713’ S, 148º 07.5403’ E.

2.2 Setting and landscape

Swan Island is a low-lying, windswept, 239Ha granite-based island consisting of the Swan Island lighthouse, an airstrip, and several houses. The lighthouse is situated by a rocky north eastern shoreline of low vegetation and granite surfaces.

Fauna and flora 

The island forms part of the Cape Portman Important Bird Area and the following breeding colonies have been recorded on its shores:

• little penguin
• short-tailed shearwater
• pacific gull
• silver gull
• sooty oystercatcher
• pied oystercatcher
• hooded plover
• Caspian tern
• crested tern
• Cape Barren geese

Reptile species recorded on the island include:

• metallic skink
• White’s skink
• Bougainville’s skink

Populations of tiger snake have been recorded on Swan Island while European rabbits and common house mice are also known to maintain a prominent presence.⁴ 

2.3 Lease and ownership

AMSA holds a lease for the lighthouse and land from the Minister administering the Crown Lands Act 1976 (Tas). 

The lease identifies three lots:

• Lot 1: Helipad (67.7m2)
• Lot 2: Lighthouse tower and oil storeroom (266.4m2)
• Lot 3: (100m2)

The current lease commenced on 1 May 1998, lasting a period of 25 years. There is an option to renew for a further 25 years.  

2.4 Access

Swan Island can be accessed via boat, small aircraft, or helicopter. The Island is privately owned and permission is therefore required to land transportation of any sort on its shores and airstrip. 

Owing to the relatively flat terrain, access to the lighthouse site can be made by vehicle or on foot, (the helipad is reserved for authorised personnel only). Access inside the Swan Island Lighthouse tower and oil store is restricted to authorised AMSA personnel. 

2.5 Listings 

The following table outlines the various heritage registers on which Swan Island Lighthouse is listed.  

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Footnotes

4  Brothers, N., David Pemberton, Helen Pryor, Vanessa Halley, Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features, (Hobart: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, (2001).

5 Australian heritage database, Swan Island Lighthouse, Gladstone, TAS, Australia, Department of the Environment and Energy

6 Tasmanian heritage register, Swan Island Light Station, Heritage Tasmania

7 Australian heritage database, Swan Island Lighthouse, Swan Island, TAS, Australia, Department of the Environment and Energy

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.  

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’.⁸

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 Swan 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 8.

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 9, gradually decreased in popularity due to cost and the move towards unmanned automatic lighthouses. 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. 

In the current day, Australian lighthouses are lit and extinguished automatically using mains power, diesel generators, and solar-voltaic systems.

3.2 The Commonwealth Lighthouse Service

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

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

3.3 Tasmanian Lighthouse Service Administration 

3.4 Swan Island: a history

Aboriginal history

Surveys of the Outer Furneaux Islands were carried out in 1989-1990 and a total of 64 prehistoric Aboriginal sites were recorded, all containing stone artefacts. Sites recorded on Swan Island were identified as being open sites consisting of stone artefacts of quartz, quartzite and exotic. Seven unretouched flake and flaked pieces, and three retouched implements were identified within Swan Island’s artefact scatters and are estimated to date from the late Pleistocene landbridge phase.⁹ These investigations demonstrated that the eastern Bassian region was occupied during the prehistoric period.

Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania (Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, TAS) detailed that two significant sites recorded are registered Aboriginal heritage sites. These sites are located outside of the AMSA lease.

Following European exploration and inhabitation of Bass Strait, the Pairrebeenne People were forcibly removed from their own Country to Swan Island for a period of time in 1830. ¹¹

The full extent of past and present Aboriginal cultural associations with Swan Island requires further research. New information will be included in later versions of this plan. 

Early European history 

In 1798, the passage of water separating Tasmania from the mainland was charted by British explorer George Bass, and British navigator and cartographer Matthew Flinders. Named ‘Bass Strait’, this passage was traversed by countless ships that had previously been forced to journey around the south coast of Tasmania. ¹²

The Waterhouse Group Islands were named after Captain Henry Waterhouse, a British Officer of the Royal Navy who was heavily involved in establishing early colonial settlements throughout the south-east of Australia. Swan Island was among those listed within the Waterhouse Group Islands. ¹³

Knowledge on the history of Swan Island following Bass and Flinders’ expedition and prior to the construction of the lighthouse is limited, however it is understood seal hunting was prevalent in the region from at least 1805. ¹⁴

3.5 Planning a lighthouse

Why Swan Island?

In 1841, Sir John Franklin, the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, recommended to Sir George Gipps, the Governor of New South Wales, that two lights be constructed in a section of Bass Strait known as Banks Strait. Following the settlement of Port Phillip in 1835, shipping between Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston had increased substantially. As a result, requests for safer passage through the Strait had grown in abundance. Swan Island was recommended as a lighthouse site as the Island’s position harnessed the potential to provide a landfall mark for ships bound for Melbourne and northern Tasmanian ports from the South Tasman Sea. ¹⁵

Construction 

Construction on the Swan Island lighthouse was led by ex-convict Charles Watson and his team of convicts. Prior to construction, Watson’s team had been working on the Goose Island Lighthouse to the north of Banks Strait, however the delayed delivery of a lantern then forced the builders to start on the Swan Island Lighthouse with Governor Franklin laying the first stone on 22 November 1843. At a cost of 2,300 pounds, construction saw the quarrying of granite from the Island itself. ¹⁶

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Equipment when built 

The lighthouse was completed in late 1845 and the light was first exhibited on 1 November of the same year making Swan Island the first finished lighthouse within Bass Strait.

Upon completion, Swan Island Lighthouse stood as a 27m, white-painted, granite rubble tower fitted with a catadioptric lens system. The original light was that of a 12’ 11/2” diameter lantern by Wilkins and Co. with fixed silvered upper and lower mirrors. 

The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts and General Literature documented the tower in its finished state:

The revolving light comprises one concerntrated lamp, with three hundred and fifty-two stationary mirrors, of which two hundred and twenty are placed in the form of a dome, above the concentrated lamp, and one hundred mirrors are fixed in a diagonal line from the concerntrated lamp, and twenty-eight below the concentrated lamp, facing each other. The revolving apparatus consists of an iron column, revolving rollers which work round, with arms and uprights, &c., which supports eight refractors or glass lenses of two feet six inches square each – made of a number of circular pieces of polished glass – the refractors work in the open space between the upper and lower mirrors. The clock-work is a splendid piece of mechanism, which will be lighted up on the 1st of November next. The light-house is under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Watson.¹⁹

The use of a single lamp meant that only one gallon of oil a night was required to power the lighthouse.

Entry into the lantern room originally required keepers to scale eight ladders fixed to the internal walls of the tower before a freestanding spiral staircase was installed in 1893. ²⁰

3.6 Lightkeeping on Swan Island

The lighthouse was originally presided over by a superintendant and a small number of convict assistants. The first superintendant, W Johnston, was provided with a cottage onsite whilst his assistants were forced to reside in crude shelters. These shelters were considered so inadequate that the assistants would set up camp in the base of the lighthouse tower itself. Eventually in 1850, another spacious four-bedroom cottage was constructed onsite for the superintendant, and his assistants moved into the original cottage. ²¹

Life on the island was relatively isolated throughout the mid to late 19th century and not without incident. The venomous tiger snake prevalent on Swan Island led to regular hunts around the island with light keepers often boasting of their kill count. In November 1933, the lightkeeper’s 15 year old son, Roy Patterson, was fatally shot in the chest by his friend Lawrence Williams while out hunting tiger snakes. Williams had accidentally fired his gun after tripping and falling over a tussock. Patterson died at the scene and his body was taken to the mainland by passing steamer Kowhal. ²²   

Shipwrecks were also common around the island and the lighthouse was often the first point of call for those escaping distressed vessels. In 1952, four men became stranded on Swan Island following the wrecking of their fishing boat Two Brothers. The lightkeepers stationed at the tower alerted the mainland and cared for the men until a rescue boat could be deployed from Bridport. ²³

3.7 Major events

The following table outlines the major events to have occurred at Swan Island Lighthouse from its construction to current day. 

3.8 Changes and conservation over time 

Owing to technological improvements made to navigational aids over the course of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, the Swan Island lighthouse underwent a number of alterations.

The Brewis Report 

Commander CRW Brewis, retired naval surveyor, was commissioned in 1911 by the Commonwealth Government to report on the condition of existing lights and to recommend further additions. 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 made in relation to the individual lighthouses.

Recommendations made by Brewis included altering the character of the light, increasing the power of the light to 100,00 c.p., installing a Morse signal lamp and erecting a new oil store and workshop.³¹

Alteration to the light

Changes to the light at Swan Island Lighthouse have occurred due to advances in technology. The table below lists the alterations made.

Conservation works

The following table lists the rectification works undertaken to maintain the lighthouse.

3.10 Summary of past and present community associations 

Aboriginal associations 

Further consultation with traditional stakeholders is required for a greater understanding of the past and present associations held across the region. 

Local, national and international associations

As one of the oldest lighthouse towers to have remained active, Swan Island Lighthouse maintains significant national ties to both historic and current day navigational safety. Convict and lightkeeping familes’ presence on the island has generated genealogical interest in the region both locally, nationally and internationally.    

3.11 Unresolved questions or historical conflicts

Knowledge on the history of the growth of Swan Island is limited. Details of the original lightstation indicate that a cottage and ‘crude shelters’ were built beside the lighthouse, however little mention is made of other buildings constructed onsite in 1845.³³  Some sources indicate a jetty and boatshed were built on the island at some stage and later burnt down in 1982. ³⁴

3.12 Recommendations for further research 

Now a privately owned island, Swan Island’s population was originally restricted to the lightkeepers. Tracking the growth of the island and the construction of its airstrip and additional buildings would be valuable in gaining an in-depth understanding of the island’s history.  
Research on past lighthouse keepers of Swan Island, particularly the role of convict assistants, may be beneficial in determining the full extent of the social value placed on the site. 
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Footnotes

⁸ Garry Searle, First Order: Australia’s Highway of Lighthouses, (SA: Seaside Lights, 2013), 34.

⁹ Sim, R. The Archaeology of Isolation? Prehistoric Occupation in the Furneaux Group of Islands, Bass Strait, Tasmania, PhD, ANU (1998), pg. 45-58.

¹⁰ Sim, R., The Archaeology of Isolation?, PhD, ANU (1998), pg. 349.

¹¹ Furneaux Historical Research Association Inc. Tasmanian Aboriginal History in the Furneaux Region, Flinders Council, TAS. https://www.flinders.tas.gov.au/aboriginal-history; Tim Morgan, ‘Aboriginal warrior and diplomat Mannalargenna still showing the way forward, elder says’, ABC News, Dec 4, 2017, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-04/aboriginal-warrior-mannalargenna…;

¹² Iain Davidson and David Roberts, ’14 000BP – On being along: the isolation of Tasmania,’ Turning Points in Australian History, Martin Crotty and David Roberts (eds), Sydney: UNSW Press, 2009, pg. 20. 

¹³ Vivienne Parsons, ‘Waterhouse, Henry (1770-1812),’ Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 2, 1967, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/waterhouse-henry-2775&nbsp;

¹⁴ Kostoglou, P., Sealing in Tasmania: a historical research project, Hobart, Tas: Dept.of Environment and Land Management, (1996), pg. 78. 

¹⁵ Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 38

¹⁶ Searle, G., First Order (2013),  pg. 38

¹⁷ NAA: A9568, 5/10/1

¹⁸ NAA: A9568, 5/9/3 

¹⁹ ‘South Australia,’ The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts and General Literature, Oct 11, 1845

²⁰ Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 39

²¹ Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 41

²² Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 45; ‘Boy shot dead: Swan Island accident,’ Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Nov 14, 1933 

²³ ‘Wrecked men still at island lighthouse,’ The Mercury, Jan 2, 1952 

²⁴ ‘Swan Island Lighthouse,’ The Telegraph, Jul 2, 1886 

²⁵ ‘Swan Island Lighthouse,’ The Mercury, Jan 13, 1893 

²⁶ ‘Swan Island Lighthouse,’ Daily Telegraph, Oct 1, 1908; ‘The Loch Finlas Wreck: survivors’ thrilling story,’ Daily Telegraph, Sept 29, 1908

²⁷ ‘Boy shot dead: Swan Island accident,’ Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Nov 14, 1933 

²⁸ ‘Wrecked men still at island lighthouse,’ The Mercury, Jan 2, 1952 

²⁹ Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 45

³⁰ Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 45

³¹ Brewis, C R W., Preliminary report on the lighting of the coast of Tasmania and the islands in Bass Strait: Recommendations as to existing lights and additional lights, Department of Trade and Customs, (1912), pg. 10.

³² Searle, G., First Order (2013), pg. 39 

³³ Lighthouses of Australia Inc., ‘Swan Island Lighthouse,’ (n.d.)
 
³⁴ Lighthouses of Australia Inc., ‘Swan Island Lighthouse,’ (n.d.)

The cultural significance of the lighthouse resides in its fabric, and also in its intangible aspects – such as the meanings people ascribe to it, and the 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 Charter³⁵ 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).

All images included in sub-section 4.1 and 4.2 – Source: AMSA.

Lighthouse feature: Lantern roof

Description and condition

Recent 16-sided pyramidal roof of glass-reinforced-plastic panels on 1845 cast metal ribs and top ring. 

• Ribs – cast metal ribs 
• Inner skin – none
• Ventilator – recent GRP replica of ball type ventilator, without ventilation holes  
• Wind vane – none  
• Lightning conductor – single spike on top of ventilator
• Gutter – none  

Heritage significance: High

The original cast metal ribs and top ring are an original part of the lighthouse – they maintain significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lighthouses (and by being one of only 4 extant pre-1850 lighthouses) (criterion a, criterion b).

The lantern roof contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse (criterion e).

Lighthouse feature: Lantern glazing

Description and condition 

Polygonal in form, with 16 sides. The vertical astragals extend from a base ring at lantern floor level up to the lantern roof – there is no separate lantern base. 

• Panes – flat rectangular glass. Two tiers of glass, with narrow tier of blank plywood panels above, and wider tier of blank panels below (forming the lantern base, see below). One landward face is blanked off by a timber framed and sheeted door in which is inset a cast iron frame for the balcony door. 
• Astragals – vertical astragals of moulded profile with thickenings at intersections with horizontal astragals and at top and bottom. Horizontal astragals of similar moulded section. Uppermost horizontal astragal (which separates a tier of blank panels from glass panes) is a later addition. 
•  Handholds – one on each vertical astragal, fixed to cover strips. 
•  Emergency panes – set of emergency panes in metal frames, with copper alloy fixing bolts, are stored in the tower below the lantern room. 

Heritage significance: High

The lantern glazing is an essential part of the lighthouse – it maintains its significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to being one of only four (4) extant pre-1850 lighthouses (criterion a, criterion b).

The lantern glazing contributes to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse (criterion e). 

Lighthouse feature: Lantern base

Description and condition

Formed by the bottom tier of the lantern glazing which has been re-fitted with blank panels (originally fully glazed). 

• Vents – recent cast cowls fitted over round vent holes in blanking panels. 
• Door – cast iron frame and door inset into the bottom of a timber framed and sheeted door. The door is secured by two hand-wheels on pivoting studs which engage with projecting lugs on the frame. 

Heritage significance: High

The lantern base is an essential part of the lighthouse – it maintains its significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: 1845 Lantern base 

Description and condition

Original lantern base was formed within the top of the existing masonry tower walls. Fixing positions of the original internal catwalk brackets into the masonry walls are visible. 

• Vents – original round vent openings still exist through masonry walls at this level. They are fitted with circular brass regulators. Only one regulator is original, others were replaced in 2012. 
• Door – there was no door in the original lantern base and the balcony was accessed through the existing doors in the lantern glazing from the internal catwalk. 

Heritage significance: High

The lantern base is an essential and original part of the lighthouse – it maintains its significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: Lantern floor

Description and condition

Recent floor of compressed fibre-cement sheet on frame of galvanised steel rectangular hollow sections (RHS) sections bolted together. The frame sits on the top of the tower wall around the edge, and on a central RHS column. 

• Access opening – rectangular, with expanded metal mesh cover. 

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Beacon

Description and condition

Vega VRB-25 self-contained rotating beacon. Fitted with a set of four parasitic curtains, suspended from an aluminium frame on top of the beacon. 

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Pedestal

Description and condition

Welded aluminium post, with flat plates welded top and bottom. 

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Balcony floor

Description and condition

1845 slate slab floor supported on the tower wall and cornice. 

Heritage significance: High

The balcony floor is both an essential and original part of the lighthouse. It maintains its significance due to the lighthouse being the odlest of the Bass Strait lights – and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: Balcony balustrade

Description and condition

Recent balustrade of welded stainless steel, with angle section stanchions bolted to the balcony floor at the bottom, with four round tubular rails. 

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Walls

Description and condition

1845 stone walls, probably originally with exposed rock faced stone in courses with finely dressed freestone cornice courses at the top. It has render and stucco coatings inside and out, probably a later modification. Internal projecting ledges indicate probable earlier locations of intermediate floors, since removed. 

Heritage significance: High

The tower walls are both original and essential parts of the lighthouse. It maintains its significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

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

The tower walls (with its rubble base and shaft with contrasting smooth freestone capital) exemplifies a unique design and form of construction (criterion f).

Lighthouse feature: Windows

Description and condition

Six original window openings with fixed glazing in stainless steel sashes and frames. 

Heritage significance: High

The original window openings are an essential part of the lighthouse. They maintain significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to its being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b)

The tower windows contribute to the aesthetic value of the lighthouse (criterion e)

Lighthouse feature: Door

Description and condition

1845 door opening. Later timber framed and sheeted door with stainless steel vent cover, hung in timber door frame. Secured with hasp and staple and CLS padlock. Stainless lock box added to door in 2011 after illegal entry took place. 

Heritage significance: High

The original door opening is an essential part of the lighthouse. It maintains significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: Intermediate floors

Description and condition

Two intermediate landings, of slate slabs carried on rolled iron beams built into the tower walls. 

Original intermediate floors at lower levels have been removed when the cast iron stair was installed, but their positions are marked by projecting ledges inside the tower walls. 

Heritage significance: High

The intermediate floors are an essential part of the lighthouse. It maintains significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850s lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: Stairs

Description and condition

Cast iron spiral stair integrated with central weight tube/column, rising from the ground floor to a floor two storeys below the lantern floor. The stair structure is free-standing, independent of the stone tower. 

Cast iron treads/riser units with lattice treads are bolted to one another and to the weight tube, the connecting bolts extend vertically as balusters supporting a wrought iron handrail on the outside of the flight. 

A separate flight of stairs, with a wrought iron outer string, leads from the lower intermediate floor to the one below the lantern floor. 

Heritage significance: High

The internal tower stairs are an essential part of the lighthouse. They maintain their significance due to the lighthouse being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: Ground floor

Description and condition

1845 stone floor with later concrete topping. 

• Equipment – batteries on racks mounted against the tower walls at ground floor level; control equipment 

Heritage significance: high

The ground floor is both an original and essential part of the lighthouse. It maintains significance due to the lighthouse being the odlest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b).

Lighthouse feature: Tower apron

Description and condition

Later thin concrete apron slab of unknown date placed around the base of the tower.

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Solar array

Description and condition

Solar panels mounted on aluminium stands affixed to concrete foundations at the base of the tower. 

Heritage significance: Low

Lighthouse feature: Oil store

Description and condition

1938 timber framed, gable roofed building on concrete slab floor. 2012 CFC sheeted and lined externally and internally. 2012 stainless steel corrugated roofing sheets, gutters and downpipes. 

Double hung windows are boarded up. No equipment in place. Concrete water tank attached. 

Heritage significance: High

The oil store is an essential part of the lightstation. It maintains significance due to the lightstation being the oldest of the Bass Strait lights, and due to it being one of only four extant pre-1850s lightstation in Tasmania (criterion a, criterion b). 

Lighthouse feature: Remnant floor slab

Description and condition

Concrete floor slab remaining from a demolished building (function not known). This is the structure currently used as a helipad. 

Heritage significance: Moderate 

The helipad is an essential part of the lightstation and was originally a building. 

4.2 Related object and associated AMSA artefact

There are no AMSA artefacts located on-site at Swan Island Lighthouse. 

4.3 Comparative analysis

Exhibiting similar stylistic features, both Swan Island Lighthouse, first lit 1845, and Goose Island Lighthouse, first lit 1846, were built by ex-convict Charles Watson and his team of prisoners. Both masonry towers were constructed of cement rendered rubble stone and fitted with a catadioptric lens with silvered mirrors (see figure 19). In 1872, Swan Island’s mirrors were removed and fitted in the Goose Island lantern room. Located on isolated islands, the two towers are situated approximately 54.5 km apart in Bass Strait and are considered to be the two major coastal lights operating north-east of Tasmania.

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Footnotes

³⁵ The Burra Charter, Australia ICOMOS, (2013).

5.1 Commonwealth heritage list – Swan Island Lighthouse  

The following information is taken from the Swan Island Lighthouse listing on the Commonwealth Heritage List (Place ID: 105598).

Commonwealth heritage list – statement of significance

Swan Island Lighthouse, completed in 1845, is significant as an integral part of Bass Strait’s mid-nineteenth century lighthouse network, and was constructed at a time when shipping was increasing between Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston. It was built using convict labour, which demonstrates the continuing role of convicts in the construction of government facilities in Tasmania during the 1840s. It also represents an early example of co-operation between Australian colonies in sharing costs and responsibilities for mutual benefit. The intact and vestigial 1930s buildings reflect the ongoing development of the lighthouse over a considerable period of time. (Criterion A) (Themes: 3.8.1 Shipping to and from Australian ports, 3.16.1 Dealing with hazards and disasters).

The Lighthouse is of further significance for being the oldest lighthouse in Bass Strait and for being one of four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania. (Criterion B).

Swan Island Lighthouse is significant for its association with Sir John Franklin, the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, who inhabited the establishment of the light (Criterion H).

The tower is of a distinctive design and form of construction for having a rendered rubble base and shaft, contrasting with a smooth freestone capital (Criterion F and B).

The lighthouse is a prominent feature and a major landmark on the coastline of this low, windswept island. Consequently, it has notable aesthetic values (Criterion E).

Commonwealth heritage values – criteria

There are nine criteria for inclusion in the Commonwealth Heritage List – 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, Swan Island Lighthouse is discussed in relation to each of the criteria as based on the current Commonwealth Heritage Listing Place ID 105598.

5.4 TAS Heritage Register – Swan Island Lighthouse

The following information is taken directly from the Swan Island Lighthouse listing on the Tasmanian Heritage Register (THR ID: 1418).

TAS State Register – statement of significance

No statement is provided for places listed prior to 2007.

TAS State Register – criteria

The Heritage Council may enter a place in the Heritage Register if it meets one or more of the following criteria from the Historic Cultural Heritage Act (1995).

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

5.5 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.

‘Condition’ is measured on a Good – Fair – Poor scale and incorporates the current condition of the specific value. Integrity is measured on a High – Medium – Low scale which incorporates the value’s intactness.

As a whole, the heritage values of Swan Island Lighthouse demonstrate good condition. All attributes of the heritage values are sound. The heritage values of the lighthouse are considered intact and maintain a high integrity.

5.6 Gain or 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 (section 5.1 above) demonstrates Swan Island Lighthouse is a place of considerable heritage value due to its contribution to the development of mid-nineteenth century shipping within Bass Strait, its original fabric, rarity, aesthetic, its standing as the oldest lighthouse in Bass Strait, and its unique design.

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:

• Continued use of the lighthouse as an AtoN
• Architectural quality of the building
• Interior spaces and features, which are notable for their design, details and/or their original lighthouse function. These include:
  • intermediate landings (including original landing markers)
  • ground floor
  • 1845 lantern base
  • lantern room
  • 1893 staircase
• External spaces and features, which are notable for their design, details, and/or their original lighthouse function. These include:
  • lantern roof
  • glazing openings
  • balcony
  • walls
  • window and door openings
  • oil store
  • building remnant

Referral and approvals of action

The EPBC Act requires approval from the Minister for the Environment 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 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 it has taken to protect and conserve the commonwealth heritage values of the properties under its ownership or control.

The heritage strategy for AMSA’s AtoN assets was completed and approved by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment in 2018 and is available online.³⁶

Heritage Asset Condition Report

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.  

Aboriginal Heritage Values

Swan Island as a whole is notable for its Aboriginal heritage significance. Although known heritage and cultural sites lie outside of the Commonwealth heritage listing curtilage and AMSA’s lease, the potential remains for future works at the lighthouse to impact Aboriginal heritage values. At the time this plan was written, no plans have been made for future works at Swan Island Lighthouse. In the event major works at the lighthouse are to be carried out, AMSA will seek to minimise impacts to the surrounding area by:

• Ensuring project footprint is limited to the AMSA lease. In any instance that work is required outside of this footprint, approvals will be sought from the appropriate stakeholders,
• Consulting with the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania), the Cape Barren Aboriginal Association, the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, and other relevant stakeholders in the event heritage artefacts/sites are uncovered or suspected during works.

6.2 Framework: sensitivity to change

Owing to the site’s historic value, rarity, aesthetic qualities, technical achievement, and association with significant people, Swan 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 Swan 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.    

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

The following table outlines legislation relevant to Swan Island Lighthouse and its heritage.

6.4 Operational requirements

As a working AtoN, the operational needs of Swan Island Lighthouse are primarily concerned with navigational requirements. Below are the operational details and requirements of the Swan Island light as outlined by AMSA.

Navigational requirement for AMSA’s AtoN site

The following table is taken from AMSA’s Asset Management Strategy for the Swan Island Light.

6.5 Occupier needs

AMSA’s goals

AMSA is responsible, under the Navigation Act, for maintaining a network of marine AtoN around Australia’s coastline that assist mariners to make safe and efficient passages. AMSA’s present network of 500 marine AtoN includes traditional lighthouses such as Swan Island Lighthouse, beacons, buoys, racons, automatic identification system stations, metocean sensors including broadcasting tide gauges, current meter, directional wave rider buoys and a weather station.

Technological developments in the area of vessel traffic management have also contributed to increasing navigation safety 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 Swan Island Lighthouse primarily encompasses its continued utilisation as an AtoN (for as long as necessary), while upkeeping 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 Swan Island light is designated as an IALA Availability Category 2 AtoN (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 in service 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 need access for occasional inspections of the site including auditing the contractor’s performance.

6.6 Proposals for change

Preventative maintenance works are carried out on the lighthouse 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 latest available site inspection report. The information provided below was taken from this report.

6.7 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 lighthouse owing to unavoidable and irreversible deterioration. At the time of preparing this management plan, no plans have been made to remove original fabric material. In the event plans are made to modify or remove original fabric, work will be conducted in line with the heritage considerations and requirements of the EPBC Act.

6.8 Processes for decision-making

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

Footnotes

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 the 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 to evaluate 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 Asset Management and Preparedness 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:

• AtoN Maintenance contractor will continue scheduled periodic maintenance of the lighthouse and marine aids to navigation every 12 months to ensure condition is monitored for early warning of deterioration. Schedule must be approved by AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to arrange for maintenance to be carried out on the lighthouse as required while continuing to operate as an AMSA marine aids to navigation.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to arrange for the replacement and upgrading of marine aids 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.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to 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.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to conserve all the fabric elements identified as significant in the heritage asset condition report.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to seek expert materials conservation advice when considering repair, restoration and reconstruction of historic fabric. The relevant local, state and federal heritage approvals must be sought prior to repair, restoration and reconstruction.
• AMSA AtoN Heritage Coordinator to conserve the distinctive character of the lightstation by collecting photographic evidence and historical documentation of the original fabric.
• AtoN Maintenance Contractor to continue scheduled heritage monitoring visits to Swan Island and review Heritage Asset Condition Reports.

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.

Swan Island’s use as a working marine AtoN is of high priority. Carrying out maintenance, including upgrades to navigational equipment, is necessary to its function and continued marine safety along the TAS 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:

• AtoN Maintenance Contractor to monitor Swan Island’s AtoN equipment  every 12 months and propose maintenance in the instance of necessary installation or removal. Proposed maintenance is to be approved by AtoN Asset Management and Preparedness.
• AMSA to outline all possible risks to significant fabric, external and internal, associated with the installation, removal and operation of equipment.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to ensure works carried out are those that ensure the least possible harm to significant fabric.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to seek expert heritage conservation advice on best practice management of the site during installation, removal and operation of equipment.

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

Swan Island Lighthouse’s location and layout allows relatively easy public access, day or night. Although access inside the lighthouse is restricted to authorised personnel, such as contractors and AMSA employees. Swan Island Lighthouse is not currently open as a tourist site. In the event Swan Island were to be opened to tour groups, AMSA personnel and contractors would require easy access inside the lighthouse precinct and tower for periodical site visits to carry out inspections and routine maintenance. 

Implementation strategy: 

• AtoN Maintenance contractor to ensure control on access to all buildings within AMSA’s lease area is maintained by periodically inspecting restricted access inside the lighthouse tower during maintenance visits every 12 months.
• AtoN Maintenance contractor to inspect lighthouse for signs of wear and tear attributed to visitor intake during yearly maintenance visit, and note changes in Heritage Asset Condition Report.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to ensure access to the lightstation complies with workplace health and safety measures.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to ensure contractors are made aware of the heritage values of the lighthouse.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to ensure access to 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 make information available through the maintenance of site 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 primarily as online resources accessible to relevant personnel and the general public. On-site interpretative signage will be installed where possible.
• 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 and Tasmanian State heritage listing requirements.

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

Implementation strategy: 

• Liaise with the relevant federal and state agencies when proposing work on the site.
• Consult with TAS PWS when proposing work on site.
• Approval in writing 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.

The heritage values or cultural significance of the place must 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 (cultural significance). 
• When possible, strive to maintain the original fabric of the lightstation.
• Use the Burra Charter as the primary guide for 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.

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 lighthouse are to be monitored and reported on a regular basis. A Heritage Asset Condition Report is updated for Swan Island Lighthouse every two years which records historical information, condition, and maintenance requirements for fabric within the lighthouse to ensure a gain and/or loss of heritage value is identified. 

Implementation strategy:

• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to regularly monitor the lightstation for possible impacts on the identified Commonwealth heritage values.
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to 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. 
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to report any changes to the Commonwealth heritage values of the lightstation to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Heritage Branch).
• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to update AMSA’s heritage strategy  and this plan to reflect any changes identified.
• AMSA AtoN Maintenance Contractor to 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, and 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 stored in AMSA’s recordkeeping system. AMSA will continue to practice such processes via their Records Management Systems (RMS). 

Implementation strategy:

• AMSA to maintain, review and update records through existing AMSA RMS as required. 
• AMSA to ensure records are made available to the relevant personnel and parties as required.

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

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.
• When funds are made available, AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness staff will undertake a relevant training to ensure comprehension of the Commonwealth heritage and EPBC Act statutory requirements.
• Contractors engaged with heritage sites will undertake appropriate training to ensure comprehension of the Commonwealth heritage and EPBC Act statutory requirements. 
• 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.
• 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 heritage values, visitor safety and duty-of-care for the site’s heritage values.

Policy 10 – Use contractors and service providers with appropriate experience.

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

Implementation strategy:

• Engage staff and contractors with the relevant experience and expertise concerning conservation of the lightstation.
• Develop and provide the appropriate training on heritage conservation matters for AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness 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) to measure 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 such work need be undertaken, AMSA will implement a suitable discovery plan and seek advice from suitably qualified personnel as required. In the event of any unforeseen discovery or disturbance of heritage-related items on the AMSA site, notification to the appropriate organisation will occur in accordance with the conditions of the discovery plan. This plan will also be updated accordingly.  

Note: In most cases, 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:

• Consult Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania, Cape Barren Aboriginal Association, and the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania in the event Aboriginal heritage is suspected.
• Seek appropriate heritage advice and apply best practice in the event of unforeseen discoveries/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, TAS PWS as land manager, staff and other relevant parties.

Implementation strategy:

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

Future Developments

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

It is likely that over time the lighthouse will house new equipment as technology changes. 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 use 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.

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:

• AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness to engage with adjacent landowners and TAS PWS through consultation when changes are proposed regarding the wider visual and natural context.

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

In the event Swan Island Lighthouse is no longer identified as a working AtoN, AMSA will withdraw its standing as lessee and hand over all authority to the lessor. This process must be conducted in line with section 341ZE of the EPBC Act. 

Implementation strategy: 

• AMSA will negotiate with lessor to have site lease terminated.
• All available heritage information within AMSA’s collection, including this Heritage Management Plan, will be shared with the relevant parties to ensure the Commonwealth and State heritage 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.
• 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)’ to guide consultations³⁸.  

Review

Policy 18 – Review this plan within 5 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.

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Footnotes

³⁸ ‘Engage Early – Guidance for proponents on best practice Indigenous engagement for Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Commonwealth of Australia (2016).

8.1 Plan and schedule

8.2 Monitoring and reporting

As stipulated by Schedule 7A of the EPBC Regulations, the outlined implementation plan and associated policies listed above are required to be monitored and updated accordingly. The below review process timetable will be adhered to over the next five years:

Other key actions in monitoring and reporting include:

• 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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

A

Apron Paving – concrete paving surround the base of the lighthouse tower.

Astragal – 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 – walk way around the outside of the lantern, used for maintenance and (formerly, when lighthouses were manned) for observing ships. Principal parts are the balcony floor and the balcony balustrade.

Balcony Floor – floor of the balcony. Swan Island’s balcony is constructed of slate slab (supported on the tower wall and cornice).

Balcony Balustrade – 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 – Swan Island’s balustrade is of welded stainless steel, with angle section stanchions bolted to the balcony floor at the bottom, with four round tubular rails.

Balcony door – door in the lantern base to give access to the balcony. I

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 – 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 – red malleable metal of low resistivity.

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. Swan Island boasts two intermediate landings of slate slabs (carried on rolled iron beams built into the tower walls).

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 – 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 – 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 cane be made from steel, concrete, or timber.

Lantern 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. On the landward side there may be blank panels in place of glass, or other opaque construction. Types of lantern glazing include: flat & curved trapezoidal panes and curved diamond/triangular panes. Swan Island utilises flat rectangular glass panes.

Lantern roof – roof of the lantern. Usually made of copper sheeting over a framework of rafters.

Lens assembly – transparent optically refracting element of glass. The surface is usually spherical in form.

Light source – electric bulbs now illuminate most lighthouses.

Lighthouse – the principal structure of a lightstation, generally made up of a lantern, balcony and tower.

Lightstation – precinct containing a lighthouse structure and other related buildings, for example. Keepers’ cottages, store room, signal house.

O

Order – a 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. Thus 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.

Copyright

© Australian Maritime Safety Authority

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.

Third Party Copyright

Some material in this document, made available under the Creative Commons Licence framework, may be derived from material supplied by third parties. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has made all reasonable efforts to identify content supplied by third parties using the following format ‘© [name of third party]’ or ‘Source: [name of third party]’. Permission may need to be obtained from third parties to re-use their material.

Acknowledgements

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority acknowledges that the lighthouse is located within traditional Country.

Contact

Comments or questions regarding this document should be addressed to:

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority,

Manager Asset Management and Preparedness,

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 Swan Island Lighthouse Heritage Management Plan – 2022

Front cover image

Swan Island Lighthouse (Source: AMSA, 2018)

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 our website: www.amsa.gov.au

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