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Why it matters (mechanically, not politically)

• It sets legally‑relevant management obligations for a Commonwealth‑owned/controlled heritage place: AMSA must identify, protect, conserve and report on the Commonwealth heritage values in line with Schedules 7A/7B of the EPBC Regulations (Sections 1.1, 5.1, Appendix 4).
• It reconciles two concrete, potentially competing duties: (a) keep the light functioning to navigational performance standards (IALA Availability Category 2, operational requirements in Section 6.4 and Appendix 3) and (b) conserve the place’s heritage fabric (detailed policies in Section 7 and the fabric register in Section 4).
• It creates internal decision pathways and approval triggers: any work that might affect Commonwealth heritage values must be assessed, heritage advice sought, and approvals obtained (Policy 5, Process for decision‑making in Section 6.7).

Key operational mechanisms and rules (how it works in practice)

• Annual maintenance cycle: a nominated maintenance contractor inspects and services the AtoN and reports to AMSA Asset Management and Preparedness; routine servicing is scheduled every 12 months (Sections 1.5, 7 Policy 1, Implementation Schedule 8.1).
• Heritage‑first rule: where installation, removal or upgrade of equipment is needed it must be planned to impose the "least possible harm" to significant fabric; expert heritage advice must be sought (Policy 2, Policy 11, Section 6.2).
• Approval and referral obligations: actions likely to have significant impact on Commonwealth heritage values require Ministerial approval under the EPBC Act; AMSA must consult the Department and the Australian Heritage Council as needed (Section 6.1, Appendix 4).
• Monitoring and record keeping: AMSA must maintain a fabric register and keep records of interventions; the plan (and heritage values) must be reviewed at least every five years (Policy 7, Policy 8, Section 8.2).
• Indigenous and community engagement: the plan requires early consultation for works that may affect Indigenous values and periodic engagement in preparing and updating the plan (Policy 17, Section 1.3).
• Special‑case hazards and trade‑offs: the plan records a concrete WHS/environmental trade‑off — the in‑situ mercury float pedestal is heritage‑significant but presents a potential mercury spill/WHS risk; management of that material would require careful heritage and WHS planning and approvals (Section 4.1 Pedestal entry, Section 6.6 on pressures).
• Tourism access is allowed under licence; licencees must be informed about the heritage values and comply with safety and heritage requirements (Section 2.3, Policy 3).

Practical implications, incentives and trade‑offs

• Who pays: AMSA (Commonwealth) budgets for maintenance and conservation; contractors are engaged under AMSA contracts (Sections 1.5, 7 Implementation). Costs of specialist conservation work (e.g. stone or lens conservation, mercury remediation) fall on AMSA unless ownership/control changes.
• Who decides: AMSA (Asset Management & Preparedness and the AtoN Heritage Coordinator) makes day‑to‑day decisions; major changes that may significantly affect heritage values trigger consultation/approval beyond AMSA (Department/Minister) (Section 6.7, Policies 5 and 11).
• Behavioural effects: AMSA and contractors must prioritise heritage‑sensitive methods for maintenance; tourism operators and visitors face access controls; any proposal to remove rare fabric (e.g. the Chance Bros lens or mercury) is channelled into formal heritage assessment processes and may be costly and time‑consuming (Sections 4.1, 6.2, 6.6, Policy 16 on divestment).
• Concentrated benefits, diffuse costs: benefits from conservation (local tourism, historical/academic interest, Indigenous cultural uses) accrue to identifiable groups; maintenance and specialist conservation costs are spread to the Commonwealth and therefore taxpayers (Sections 3.9–3.10, Policies 1 and 14).
• Opportunity costs and substitution effects: preserving original heavy mechanical optical apparatus may limit or delay installing lower‑maintenance modern equipment; conversely, replacing heritage fabric to reduce operating costs could require heritage approvals and create cultural‑value loss (Sections 6.2, 6.4, Policy 14).
• Implementation risks and compliance burden: the plan imposes multi‑layered compliance steps (heritage assessments, WHS controls, Indigenous consultation, record keeping and five‑year reviews). That reduces implementation speed for alterations and increases administrative overhead for AMSA and contractors (Sections 6.7, 7, 8.2).

Bottom line — what will change for stakeholders

• AMSA must operate and maintain Eddystone Point Lighthouse as both an active aid to navigation and as a protected heritage place, following the policies, approval pathways and reporting/monitoring set out in this plan (Sections 6.4, 7, 8).
• Contractors and tour operators must comply with heritage‑aware procedures and safety rules; the local Indigenous community has a formal role in consultation over work affecting cultural values (Policy 3, Policy 17).

(References: plan prepared under s341S EPBC Act and detailing objectives at Sections 1.1–1.2; fabric register Section 4; statutory requirements Section 6.3; operational requirements Section 6.4; conservation policies Section 7; implementation and monitoring Sections 8 and 8.2.)

Phone: (02) 6279 5000 (switchboard)

Email: Heritage@amsa.gov.au

Website: www.amsa.gov.au

Eddystone Point Lighthouse

Heritage Management Plan

2021

Contents

List of Figures

Figure 1. Eddystone Point Lighthouse (Source: AL-Travelpicture, iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Figure 2. Planning process applied in the creation of this management plan (Source: Australia ICOMOS, 1999) Figure 3 Eddystone Point Lighthouse’s location in Tasmania (Map data: Google @2021, TerraMetrics)

Figure 4. Location of lighthouse on Eddystone Point (Map data: Google @2021, CNES Airbus, Maxar Technologies)

Figure 5. Eddystone Point Lighthouse lease map (Map data: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community)

Figure 6. Access track leading from lightstation precinct to tower (Source: AMSA 2018)

Figure 7. Incandescent oil vapour lamp by Chance Brothers (Source: AMSA)

Figure 8. Dioptric lens on display at Narooma (Source: AMSA)

Figure 9. Dalén’s system – sunvalve, mixer, flasher and cylinder (Source: AMSA)

Figure 10. Eddystone Point Plan of Tower (1886) Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A9568, 5/2/2 (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)

Figure 11. The Eddystone Point Lighthouse, east coast of Tasmania, 1948. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1200, L11291 (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)

Figure 12. The SS Cape York bringing supplies to Eddystone Point Lighthouse, east coast of Tasmania (1948) Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1200, L11292 (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)

Figure 13. 1st Order Chance Bros. lantern at Eddystone Point ex. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse (Source: AMSA)

Figure 14. Blueprint for alterations made to Incandescent lamp c.1921 (Source: AMSA)

Figure 15. Wilson’s Promontory VIC (Source: AMSA)

Figure 16. Eddystone Point Lighthouse 2018 (Source: AMSA)

Figure 17. Blueprints for masters’ quarters (R. Huckson, 1886) Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A9568, 5/2/3 (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)

Figure 18. Blueprints for assistants’ quarters (R. Huckson, 1886) Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A9568, 5/2/4 (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)

Executive Summary

Eddystone Point Lightstation was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004. The lightstation has contributed to the establishment of marine Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) within the Bass Strait. It is known for the rarity of its architectural design, original Chance Bros lantern and mercury float pedestal, its intact 19th century composition, and aesthetic characteristics.

Eddystone Point Lightstation was listed on the Tasmanian heritage register for its historical significance, unique community associations, and demonstration of class characteristics of the 19th century. The landscape is also of high cultural significance to the Palawa people.

Situated atop Eddystone Point, the lighthouse was built on the south-eastern corner of the Bass Strait approximately 8 km north-east from Ansons Bay and approximately 112 km north-east of Launceston. Built in 1889, the Eddystone Point Lighthouse assisted in illuminating the Strait – a treacherous passage between the state of Victoria and Tasmania where hundreds of ships were wrecked throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The lighthouse’s unpainted rock-face and external flying staircase composition was designed by Robert Huckson in 1886.

Although the lighthouse remains fitted with its original lens assembly, an automated VEGA beacon attached to the balcony has replaced the lantern as the tower’s light source. The equipment is serviced by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) maintenance contractor who visits at least once per year. AMSA officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, project and community liaison purposes.

As a working AtoN, the lighthouse remains the responsibility of AMSA. The larger part of the lightstation which contains an auxiliary light building and a quarters precinct containing three cottages, a graveyard, a shed/storeroom, a workshop, and garages. The auxiliary light and quarters precinct lies outside of the AMSA lease and is managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (TPWS).

This heritage management plan is primarily concerned with the lighthouse, but also addresses the management of the surrounding precinct and land. The plan is intended to guide decisions and actions of AMSA who continues to operate the lighthouse. AMSA has prepared this plan to integrate the heritage values of the lightstation 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 precinct 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 the Eddystone Point Lightstation are recognised, maintained and preserved for future generations.

Introduction

1.1 Background and purpose

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible for coastal AtoN. AMSA’s network includes the Eddystone Point Lighthouse built in 1889.

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

We have commissioned 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 the Eddystone 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.

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 Eddystone Point Lighthouse
interpret an

This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.