1.1 Background and purpose
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible for coastal AtoN. AMSA’s network includes Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, built in 1875.
Section 341S of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) requires AMSA to prepare a management plan for Sugarloaf Point 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 Sugarloaf Point 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 Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse.
- interpret and promote the Commonwealth heritage values of Sugarloaf Point 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 Sugarloaf Point 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 AMSA’s internal planning processes.
An interactive map showing many of AMSA’s heritage sites, including Sugarloaf Point 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:
- 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.
- details the Commonwealth heritage criteria satisfied by Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse as set out by the EPBC Regulations.
The criterion set out at Schedule 7A (h) (i-xiii) informed the development of the required policies for the management of the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, in conjunction with input from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on best practice management.
Consultation
The draft management plan is required to be advertised in accordance with the EPBC Act and the EPBC Regulations and any comments received are to be incorporated into the final document.
In the process of preparing the plan, AMSA sough engagement with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS). NSW NPWS provided information on the management of the larger complex, and recommendations of clarity within sections pertaining to management of the site.
AMSA also sought engagement with the Seal Rocks Protection Society who provided AMSA with insight of the significance of the lighthouse in present day, and marked significant features within the tower.
AMSA sought engagement with Aboriginal stakeholder parties with interests in the Sugarloaf Point region under direction from Heritage NSW (Department of Premier and Cabinet, NSW). AMSA received is yet to receive responses from all stakeholders and future versions of the plan will provide an update on this consultation process. Of the responses received, these have offered positive comments.
A developed draft will be submitted to the Minister through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water 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 Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse.
1.6 Acknowledgements
AMSA acknowledges professional assistance of the NSW NPWS and the Seal Rocks Protection Society on this heritage management plan.
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 Sugarloaf Point which sets out the technical terminology used in this plan.
1.8 Previous reports
- Clive Lucas, Stapleton and Partners PTY. LTD prepared a Conservation Management Plan for AMSA in 1995.3
- Suters Architects PTY LTD prepared a Conservation Management Plan for AMSA in 1999.4
- Graham Brooks and Associates PTY LTD prepared a Conservation Management and Cultural Tourism Plan for NSW NPWS in 2001.5
- NSW NPWS prepared a Myall Lakes National Park Plan of Management in 2002.6
- Graham Brooks and Associates PTY LTD prepared a Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Precinct Conservation Management Plan for NSW NPWS in 2004.7
- Peter Marquis-Kyle prepared a Heritage Asset Condition Report for AMSA in 2007.8
- Australian Maritime Systems Group prepared an Heritage Asset Condition Report (3rd Revision) for AMSA in 2019.9
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.
Footnotes
1 “AMSA Interactive heritage lighthouse map,” Australian Maritime Safety Authority
2 Australia ICOMOS, The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance (Australia ICOMOS, 2013).
3 Clive Lucas, Stapleton and Partners, Sugarloaf Point Lightstation Conservation Management Plan (Canberra: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 1995).
4 Suters Architects, Sugarloaf Point Lightstation Conservation Management Plan (Department of Land and Water Conservation, 1999).
5 “NPWS Lighthouses: Conservation Management and Cultural Tourism Plan,” Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd (NSW NPWS, 2001)
6 “Myall Lakes National Park: Little Broughton Island and Stormpetrel Nature Reserves Plan of Management,” NSW NPWS, (2002)
7 “NPWS Lighthouses Conservation Management and Cultural Tourism Plan: Supplementary Information for Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse,” Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd (NSW NPWS, 2004)
8 Peter Marquis-Kyle, Heritage Lighthouse Report: Sugarloaf Point (Australian Maritime Systems Group, 2007).
9 Australian Maritime Systems Group, Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse: Heritage Asset Condition Report, 3rd Revision (Australia Maritime Safety Authority, 2019).