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Why it matters (official rationale, and what that implies in practice)

• Officially: the plan exists to identify, protect and manage the Commonwealth heritage values of Cape Sorell Lighthouse (Executive Summary and Section 1.2).

• In practice this means:

  • AMSA must treat the lighthouse’s historic fabric and setting as a management priority when planning maintenance, upgrades or any change (Policies 1, 2 and 6).
  • Major changes that are likely to significantly affect heritage values must be assessed, documented and submitted for heritage approvals (see "Referral and approvals of action" and 6.7).
  • Routine operational work (annual maintenance, equipment servicing) is permitted but must be recorded in the fabric register and tracked through biennial condition reports and a five‑year plan review (Sections 4, 5.3, 7 Policy 7, 8.2).

Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes

• Who pays: AMSA bears the direct cost of implementing the plan—maintenance, specialist heritage advice, monitoring and reporting—funded from AMSA’s asset management budgets and contractor fees (Sections 1.5, 8.1). If AMSA divests the site the receiving authority would assume the costs (6.7, Policy 16).

• Who decides: AMSA (Asset Management and Preparedness team, AtoN Heritage Coordinator) runs everyday decisions and schedules; AMSA’s CEO adopted the plan (front matter). For actions with potential significant heritage impact, AMSA must seek approvals and/or advice from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) / Heritage Branch, the Australian Heritage Council and relevant Tasmanian authorities (Sections 1.3, 6.7, 7 Policy 5). The Navigation Act gives AMSA authority to establish/alter aids to navigation but the EPBC Act constrains actions that would significantly affect Commonwealth heritage values (see Sections 6.3 and references to Navigation Act).

• Behaviour changes required: contractors and AMSA staff must follow heritage‑conscious procedures (training, conservation methods, record keeping, heritage impact statements for major works); emergency or safety work still requires heritage consideration and post‑works recording (Policies 9–13; 6.7 procedures). Access remains restricted and visitor pressure is controlled (Policy 3).

Costs, incentives, trade‑offs and implementation risks

• Direct costs and budget trade‑offs: conserving original fabric (cast iron lantern fittings, brickwork, Chance Bros elements) requires specialist skills and may be costlier than unconstrained replacement. AMSA’s asset budget will need to cover biennial condition surveys, heritage advice for major works, and periodic conservation works (Sections 4, 7, 8).

• Operational trade‑off: the plan prioritises retaining heritage fabric while keeping the light operational. That can slow or complicate equipment upgrades or emergency repairs because of required heritage assessments and approvals (Policy 2; 6.7 decision procedures). Safety exceptions exist but still require documentation (6.2, Policy 1).

• Incentives and who benefits: heritage and local community interests are the concentrated beneficiaries of preservation; costs are concentrated on AMSA (public funds) and contractors (compliance effort). The general maritime public benefits from maintained AtoN reliability.

• Opportunity cost: money and management attention allocated to heritage conservation are not available for other AMSA priorities (e.g. other AtoN upgrades).

• Bureaucratic discretion and delay risk: AMSA retains day‑to‑day discretion but must obtain external approvals for significant impacts; this creates potential delay risk for urgent operational tasks if approvals are not pre‑planned (Sections 6.7; Policy 5).

• Implementation risk from remoteness: access is by boat or helicopter only, which raises logistical and cost risks for regular maintenance and for emergency works (Section 2.4).

Limits and scope of the plan

• The plan is site‑specific and focused on conservation, AtoN operation and statutory compliance for Commonwealth heritage values within AMSA’s lease area (Sections 2, 6.1). Aboriginal heritage values outside AMSA’s lease are recognised but treated separately; the plan promises consultation and discovery procedures rather than asserting control over broader landscape values (Sections 6.1–6.2, Policy 17).

Concrete, actionable duties flagged by the plan

• Maintain the light as an AtoN to the IALA Availability Category 3 standard (Section 6.4; Appendix 4).
• Run maintenance visits at least annually and update Heritage Asset Condition Reports biennially (Section 7, Implementation Plan §8.1).
• Prepare heritage impact statements and seek approvals for major works affecting heritage fabric (6.7, Policy 5).
• Keep a fabric register and historical records within AMSA’s RMS and make them available to relevant parties (Policy 8).

Phone: (02) 6279 5000 (switchboard)

Email: Heritage@amsa.gov.au

Website: www.amsa.gov.au

Attribution

Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s preference is that you attribute this publication (and any material sourced from it) using the following wording:

Source: Australian Maritime Safety Authority Cape Sorell Lighthouse Heritage Management Plan – 2023

Front cover image

Figure 1. Cape Sorell Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2012)

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

Introduction

    Background and purpose
    Heritage management plan objectives
    Methodology
    Status
    Authorship
    Acknowledgements
    Language
    Previous reports
    Sources of information and images

2. Cape Sorell Lightstation site
2.1 Location
2.2 Setting and landscape
2.3 Lease and management
2.4 Access
2.5 Listings

3. History
3.1 General history of lighthouses in Australia
3.2 The Commonwealth Lighthouse Service
3.3 Tasmanian Lighthouse Service
3.4 Cape Sorell: a history
3.5 Building a lighthouse
3.6 Lighthouse keeping
3.7 Chronology of major events
3.8 Changes and conservation over time
3.9 Summary of current and former uses
3.10 Summary of past and present community associations
3.11 Unresolved questions or historical conflicts
3.12 Recommendations for further research

4. Fabric
4.1 Fabric register
4.2 Related objects and/or associated AMSA artefacts
4.3 Comparative analysis

5. Heritage significance
5.1 Commonwealth Heritage listing – Cape Sorell Lighthouse
5.2 TAS State Heritage Register – Cape Sorell Lighthouse
5.3 Condition and integrity of the Commonwealth heritage values
5.4 Gain/loss of 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 Process for decision-making

7. Conservation management principles and policies

8. Policy implementation plan
8.1 Plan and schedule
8.2 Monitoring and reporting

Appendices

Appendix 1. Glossary of heritage conservation terms

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

Appendix 3. Table demonstrating compliance with the EPBC Regulations

Appendix 4. Cape Sorell current light details

End notes

Reference List

List of figures

Figure 1. Cape Sorell Lighthouse (Source: AMSA, 2012)

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

Figure 3. Location of Cape Sorell Lighthouse within Tasmania (Imagery ©2021 TerraMetrics,

Map data ©2021 Google)

Figure 4. Lighthouse on Cape Sorell (Imagery ©2021 CNES/Airbus, Maxar Technologies,

Map data ©2021 Google)

Figure 5. Aerial view of Cape Sorell Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2014)

Figure 6. View of Cape Sorell landscape from lighthouse tower (© AMSA, 2014)

Figure 7. Cape Sorell Lighthouse, AMSA map of lease, 2017 (Map data: © Esri,

DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community)

Figure 8. View of helipad from Cape Sorell Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2014)

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. Tramline leading to Cape Sorell Light c. 1900 (Digitised item from: W.L. Crowther

Library, Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office)

Figure 13. Sorell Light, Macquarie Harbour c. 1910 (Digitised item from: W.L. Crowther

Library, Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office)

Figure 14. Cape Sorell tower c. 1900 (Digitised item from: W.L. Crowther Library, Tasmanian

Archive and Heritage Office)

Figure 15. Cape Sorell Lighthouse, first lit 1899 (© AMSA, 2014)

Figure 16. Table Cape Lighthouse, first lit 1888 (Source: AMSA)

Acronym List

List of acronyms utilised throughout this heritage management plan:

Executive Summary

Built in 1899, Cape Sorell Lighthouse is a historic site recognised by both the Commonwealth and the State Government of Tasmania. The place was put on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004 for its contribution to the development of navigational aids along the west coast of Tasmania, and for its standing as the only remaining intact structure of the Cape Sorell Lightstation complex. The Lighthouse is also recognised for its illustration of a type of late-nineteenth-century lighthouse, and its prominence within its landscape setting.

Cape Sorell Lighthouse is listed on the Tasmanian State Heritage Register for its contribution to the development of navigation aids along the west coast of Tasmania, its standing as an example of a Victorian brick lighthouse—the only remaining intact structure of the Cape Sorell Lightstation complex—, and its aesthetic prominence in its landscape setting.

The Lighthouse is situated along the western coast of Tasmania at the mouth of Macquarie Harbour, approximately 12km south-west of the township of Strahan. Once a large complex comprising of the tower, an engine room, and three keepers’ cottages, the lighthouse tower remains the only intact structure onsite.

Originally fitted with a 2nd Order dioptric light with a four-wick trinity burner, the tower is now fitted with a Vega VRB beacon operating on an automated mechanism as part of AMSA’s network of aids to navigation (AtoN). The equipment is serviced by AMSA’s maintenance contractor who visits at least once per year. AMSA’s officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, project and community liaison purposes.

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

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

Introduction

    Background and purpose

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible for coastal aids to navigation (AtoN). AMSA’s network includes Cape Sorell Lighthouse built in 1899.

Section 341S of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) requires AMSA to prepare a management plan for Cape Sorell 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 Sorell 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 the Cape Sorell Lighthouse.
• interpret and promote the Commonwealth heritage values of the Cape Sorell 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 the Cape Sorell 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 Cape Sorell Lighthouse, can be found at AMSA Heritage Lighthouses Interactive MapP0FP0F[1]PP.

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 criteria satisfied by Cape Sorell as set out in 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 Cape Sorell Lighthouse, in conjunction with input from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DEECCW) on best practic

This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.