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1. Introduction

1.1 Background and purpose

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible for coastal aids to navigation. AMSA’s network includes North Reef Lighthouse, built in 1878.

Section 341S of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) requires AMSA to prepare a management plan for North Reef 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 North Reef 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 North Reef Lighthouse.
  • interpret and promote the Commonwealth heritage values of North Reef Lighthouse.
  • manage use of the lighthouse.
  • use best practice standards, including ongoing technical and community input, and apply best available knowledge and expertise when considering actions likely to have a substantial impact on Commonwealth heritage values.

In undertaking these objectives, this plan aims to:

  • provide for the protection and conservation of the heritage values of the place while minimising any impacts on the environment by applying the relevant environmental management requirements in a manner consistent with Commonwealth heritage management principles.
  • take into account the significance of the region 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 North Reef Lighthouse 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 AtoN network is managed through our internal planning processes.

An interactive map showing many of AMSA’s heritage sites, including North Reef Lighthouse, can be found at AMSA Heritage Lighthouses Interactive 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:

  • the history of the site based on information sourced from archival research, expert knowledge, and documentary resources.
  • the description of the site based on information sourced from site inspection reports and fabric registers.
  • the Commonwealth heritage criteria satisfied by North Reef 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 Goods Island Lighthouse, in conjunction with input from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on best practice management.

Consultation

In preparation of the plan, AMSA sought engagement with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Gidarjil Development Corporation in September 2021 under direction from GBRMPA. At the time of preparation, consultations are still currently on-going, and future versions of this plan will provide an update on these consultations.

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 Minister through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and in that process the Minister’s delegate will seek advice from the Australian Heritage Council.

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

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) is the contract maintenance provider for the Commonwealth Government’s AtoN network including North Reef Lighthouse.

1.6 Acknowledgements

AMSA acknowledges the professional assistance of GBRMPA and the Gidarjil Development Corporation.

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 Charter2. (See Appendix 1 Glossary of heritage conservation terms). Also see ‘Appendix 2 Glossary of lighthouse terminology relevant to North Reef which sets out the technical terminology used in this plan.

1.8 Previous reports

  • Peter Marquis-Kyle prepared a Heritage Lighthouse Report for AMSA in 2007.3
  • A Heritage Asset Condition Report (3rd Revision) was generated by AMSG in 2019 for AMSA.4

 1.9 Sources of information and images

This plan has used a number of sources of information. This includes the National Archives of Australia (NAA), the National Library of Australia (NLA) and AMSA’s heritage collection.  

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Footnotes

1 “AMSA Interactive heritage lighthouse map,” Australian Maritime Safety Authority, accessed October 2020      

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

3 Peter Marquis-Kyle, Heritage Lighthouse Report: North Reef (Australian Maritime Systems Group, 2007).

4 Australian Maritime Systems Group, North Reef Lighthouse: Heritage Asset Condition Report, 3rd Revision (Australia Maritime Safety Authority, 2019).

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