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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 Cape Baily Lighthouse Heritage Management Plan – 2024

Front cover image

Figure 1. Cover photo of Cape Baily Lighthouse (© 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

Table of contents

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

   1. Background and purpose
   2. Heritage management plan objectives
   3. Methodology
   4. Status
   5. Authorship
   6. Acknowledgements
   7. Language
   8. Previous reports
   9. Sources of information and images

2. Cape Baily Lighthouse site

2.1 Location

2.2 Setting and landscape

2.3 Lease

2.4 Access

2.5 Listings

3. History

3.1 General history of lighthouses in Australia

3.2 The Commonwealth Lighthouse Service

3.3 Cape Baily: a history

3.4 Why Cape Baily?

3.5 Building a lighthouse

3.6 Chronology of major events

3.7 Changes and conservation over time

3.8 Summary of current and former uses

3.9 Summary of past and present community associations

3.10 Unresolved questions or historical conflicts

3.11 Recommendations for further research

4. Fabric

4.1 Fabric register

4.2 Related object and associated AMSA artefact

4.3 Comparative analysis

5. Heritage significance

5.1 Commonwealth heritage listing – Cape Baily Lighthouse

5.2 Condition and integrity of Commonwealth heritage values

5.3 Gain or loss of Commonwealth heritage values

6. Opportunities and constraints

6.1 Implications arising from significance

6.2 Framework: sensitivity to change

6.3 Statutory and legislative requirements

6.4 Operational requirements and occupier needs

6.5 Proposals for change

6.6 Potential pressures

6.7 Processes for decision-making

7. Conservation management principles and policies

8. Policy implementation plan

8.1 Plan and schedule

8.2 Monitoring and reporting

Appendix 1. Glossary of heritage conservation terms

Appendix 2. Glossary of historic lighthouse terms relevant to Cape Baily Lighthouse

Appendix 3. Table demonstrating compliance with the EPBC Regulations

Appendix 4. Cape Baily current light details

Endnotes

Reference list

List of Figures

Figure 1. Cover photo of Cape Baily Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2018)

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

Figure 3. Location of Cape Baily Lighthouse along Australia's eastern coast (Imagery ©2022 NASA, TerraMetrics. Map data: @2022 Google)

Figure 4. Location of Cape Baily Lighthouse within the national park (Imagery ©2022 CNES/Airbus, Landsat/Copernicus, Maxar Technologies, Sinclair Knight Merz. Map Data: @2022 Google)

Figure 5. Cliffs by Cape Baily track (© AMSA, 2018)

Figure 6. Vegetation by Cape Baily Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2018)

Figure 7. Cape Baily Lighthouse AMSA lease map (Google Earth Imagery ©2017 Google, ESRI World Streetmap)

Figure 8. Pedestrian walking track to lighthouse (© AMSA, 2018)

Figure 9. Incandescent oil vapour lamp by Chance Brothers (Source: AMSA)

Figure 10. Dioptric lens on display at Narooma (Source: AMSA)

Figure 11. Dalén's system - sunvalve, mixer and flasher (Source: AMSA)

Figure 12. Design chosen for Cape Baily Lighthouse. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: SP155/1, MISC21994L (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)

Figure 13. Cape Baily Lighthouse under construction, 1950 (Courtesy of the Local Studies Collection, Sutherland Shire Libraries)

Figure 14. Cape Baily Lighthouse under construction, 1950 (Courtesy of the Local Studies Collection,

Sutherland Shire Libraries)

Figure 15. Cape Baily Lighthouse under construction, 1950 (Courtesy of the Local Studies Collection, Sutherland Shire Libraries)

Figure 16. Visitors to Cape Baily Lighthouse, 1950 (Courtesy of the Local Studies Collection, Sutherland Shire Libraries)

Figure 17. Stokes Point Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2017)

Figure 18. Cape Liptrap Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2013)

Acronym List

List of acronyms utilised throughout this heritage management plan:

Executive summary

Built in 1950, Cape Baily Lighthouse was fully-functional by 21 December of the same year. The lighthouse was constructed to aid vessels entering and leaving Botany Bay south of Sydney (New South Wales).

Cape Baily Lighthouse is notable for its heritage significance and was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004. As included within its listing, the lighthouse is recognised for its association with the ongoing development of aids to navigation during the mid-20th century post-war period. The lighthouse is also notable for its aesthetic value sitting atop the headland with no modern intrusions.

Situated on Cape Baily within the Kamay Botany National Park, the lighthouse stands approximately 17.5km south of Sydney. As a working marine aid to navigation (AtoN), the lighthouse tower is operated and managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The lighthouse houses a Chance Brothers & Co. 375mm focal radius fixed (non-rotating) lens which is still in service today. The light runs on an automated mechanism as part of AMSA’s network of AtoN. The equipment is serviced by AMSA’s maintenance contractor who visits as least once per year. AMSA officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, project and community liaison purposes.

AMSA lease the site from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Authority (NSW NPWS).

This heritage management plan is concerned mainly with the lighthouse, however it also addresses the management of the surrounding land. The plan is intended to guide AMSA’s decisions and actions. 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), and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth).

Being 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 that the Commonwealth heritage values of Cape Baily Lighthouse are recognised, maintained, and preserved for future generations.

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 Cape Baily Lighthouse, built and first lit in 1950.

Section 341S of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) requires AMSA to prepare a management plan for Cape Baily 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 Cape Baily 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)

1.2 Heritage management plan objectives

The objectives of this heritage management plan are to:

• protect, conserve and manage the Commonwealth heritage values of Cape Baily Lighthouse.
• interpret and promote the Commonwealth heritage values of Cape Baily 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 Cape Baily 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 AtoN network is managed through our internal planning processes.

An interactive map showing many of AMSA’s heritage sites, including Cape Baily Lighthouse, can be found at AMSA Heritage Lighthouses Interactive MapP0FP0F[i]PP https://www.operations.amsa.gov.au/lighthouses/?_ga=2.236400321.1108408984.1535497123-1996646104.1535497123

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:

provides a 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 Cape Baily 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 the Cape Baily 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 New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS). NSW NPWS provided information on the management of the surrounding environment including AMSA’s lease

This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.