Introduction

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.

Figure 2. Planning process applied for heritage management (Source: Australia ICOMOS, 1999) Figure 2. Planning process applied for heritage management (Source: Australia ICOMOS, 1999)

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).
 

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