Heritage significance

5.1 Commonwealth heritage list – Gabo Island Lighthouse

The following information is taken directly from the Commonwealth Heritage listing for Gabo Island Lighthouse (Place ID: 105379).³⁹

Commonwealth statement of significance

The Gabo Island Lighthouse, built in 1862, is architecturally significant as an elegant and impressive red granite structure designed by WW Wardell of the Public Works Department of Victoria. Its design features, such as the parabolic curved profile, were replicated at all subsequent manned lighthouses in Victoria (Criterion H.1).

The lighthouse is significant as a dominant feature in the landscape of Gabo Island and surrounding region. The lack of development on the island and the nearby mainland area has maintained much of the physical and visual context of the lightstation (Criterion E.1).

The Gabo Island Lighthouse is significant as an outstanding example of the stonemason's craft. The structure utilizes the red granite available on the isolated site. The smooth-faced stone finish to the lighthouse is a departure from the more common practice of building towers in either rock-faced stonework or rendered rubble (Criterion F.1).

Commonwealth heritage 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, Gabo Island Lighthouse is discussed in relation to each of the criteria as based on the site’s current Commonwealth Heritage Listing (Place ID: 105379)

5.2 VIC State Heritage Register – Gabo Island Lighthouse

The following information is taken directly from the Victorian State Heritage register listing of Gabo Island Lighthouse (Place ID: H1843).⁴⁰

VIC heritage statement of significance

Lightstation group of 1853-62 consisting of a 150 foot tower; head keeper’s and assistant keepers' quarters; two ancillary buildings and enclosing and connecting walls, all constructed of locally quarried red granite, together with a detached former signal station of rendered masonry added in 1887.

The striking colour of the granite is enhanced by the exacting workmanship of the dressed masonry. Whilst later infilling of verandahs and sundry additional buildings are excluded, the recent use of red brick is a sympathetic alternative to the local granite.

The cast iron spiral staircase in the tower, with its central column supporting the landings is typically detailed. The cast iron external lantern gallery is unusual in having no supporting brackets, and the cast blocking plates are decorated with ribbon borders in relief. The balustrade of the lower balcony is of later design and is excluded.

The interior of the lantern room is finely detailed and well maintained with a bracketed cast iron lantern walkway and polished brass handrails and fittings.

VIC State heritage criteria

The following table details the state heritage criterion assessed for each registered site. In regards, to Gabo Island Lightstation, no explanation is provided of which criterion the site meets in the Victorian Heritage Database. 

These heritage values, identified and explained in the Commonwealth Heritage List and the State Heritage Register, will form the basis of the management of Gabo 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 heritage values of the Gabo Island Lighthouse)

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 to evaluate the heritage fabric and values of the site. 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. 

Gabo Island Lighthouse’s Commonwealth heritage values and its associated attributes maintain good condition and high-medium integrity. The integrity is somewhat diminished due to the removal of the original internal stair and balcony balustrades.  

5.4 Gain and/or loss of heritage values

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

Criterion H should be updated to reflect Charles Maplestone’s role in designing Gabo Island Lighthouse. Historical evidence demonstrates that although W W Wardell was at some point involved in the planning the site, Maplestone was responsible for the design plans used to construct the lighthouse.⁴¹

Updating its historical accuracy should not diminish this heritage value. Charles Maplestone was a significant figure of his time as Clerk of Works in Melbourne. Maplestone was responsible for a number of Victorian coastal and harbour lights including Cape Schanck, Cape Otway, Gabo Island and Wilsons Promontory which are recognised for their historical, technical and aesthetic values on State and Commonwealth heritage registers. Maplestone contributed to the built history of Victoria and his designs still stand in the 21st century.   

AMSA proposes Criterion H should be read as:

The Gabo Island Lighthouse, built in 1862, is architecturally significant as an elegant and impressive red granite structure designed by Charles Maplestone, Clerk of Works in Melbourne. Its design features, such as the parabolic curved profile, were replicated at all subsequent manned lighthouses in Victoria.