Section 5 - Swan Island Lighthouse Heritage Management Plan 2023 - Heritage significance

5Heritage significance

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5 Heritage significance

5.1 Commonwealth heritage list – Swan Island Lighthouse

The following information is taken from the Swan Island Lighthouse listing on the Commonwealth Heritage List (Place ID: 105598).

Commonwealth heritage list – statement of significance

Swan Island Lighthouse, completed in 1845, is significant as an integral part of Bass Strait’s mid-nineteenth century lighthouse network, and was constructed at a time when shipping was increasing between Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston. It was built using convict labour, which demonstrates the continuing role of convicts in the construction of government facilities in Tasmania during the 1840s. It also represents an early example of co-operation between Australian colonies in sharing costs and responsibilities for mutual benefit. The intact and vestigial 1930s buildings reflect the ongoing development of the lighthouse over a considerable period of time. (Criterion A) (Themes: 3.8.1 Shipping to and from Australian ports, 3.16.1 Dealing with hazards and disasters).

The Lighthouse is of further significance for being the oldest lighthouse in Bass Strait and for being one of four extant pre-1850 lighthouses in Tasmania. (Criterion B).

Swan Island Lighthouse is significant for its association with Sir John Franklin, the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, who inhabited the establishment of the light (Criterion H).

The tower is of a distinctive design and form of construction for having a rendered rubble base and shaft, contrasting with a smooth freestone capital (Criterion F and B).

The lighthouse is a prominent feature and a major landmark on the coastline of this low, windswept island. Consequently, it has notable aesthetic values (Criterion E).

Commonwealth heritage values – criteria

There are nine criteria for inclusion in the Commonwealth Heritage List – meeting any one of these is sufficient for listing a place. These criteria are similar to those used in other Commonwealth, state and local heritage legislation, although thresholds differ. In the following sections, Swan Island Lighthouse is discussed in relation to each of the criteria as based on the current Commonwealth Heritage Listing Place ID 105598.

Criterion	Relevant Attributes Identified	Explanation
Criterion A – ProcessesThis criterion is satisfied by places that have significant heritage value because of [their] importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia’s natural or cultural history.	The whole of the lighthouse, its historical relationship with nearby structures plus its landscape setting.

Criterion	Explanation/evidence
A. The place is important to the course or pattern of Tasmania’s history.	The Lighthouse stands as a monument to the convict period when convict labour was used extensively in the construction of Government facilities.
C. The place has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Tasmania’s history.	Swan Island Lightstation, built in 1845, is significant as an integral part of a network of early Bass Strait lights which includes Goose Island, Deal Island and Cape Otway. The system represents the first example of co-operation between Australian Colonies in sharing costs and responsibilities for mutual benefit.
D. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of place in Tasmania’s history.	Swan Island Lighthouse is of historic heritage significance because it represents the principal characteristics of an Old Colonial Georgian light station.
E. The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement.	The light tower is significant as one of the four pre-1850 light towers in the state of Tasmania. Its method of construction, using rubble-rendered quartzite for the base and shaft, and freestone for the capital is distinctive in design. The high level of intactness of the tower, accompanied with the other original buildings in the light station adds to its aesthetic appeal, and is an important rural coastal landmark.
F. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social or spiritual reasons.	Swan Island Lightstation is of historic heritage significance as a dramatic landmark feature valued by the community.
G. The place has a special association with the life or works of a person, or groups of persons, of importance in Tasmania’s history.	The Swan Island Lighthouse is significant for its association with Sir John Franklin, the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s, who initiated its establishment.

Criterion

Explanation/evidence

A. The place is important to the course or pattern of Tasmania’s history.

The Lighthouse stands as a monument to the convict period when convict labour was used extensively in the construction of Government facilities.

C. The place has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Tasmania’s history.

Swan Island Lightstation, built in 1845, is significant as an integral part of a network of early Bass Strait lights which includes Goose Island, Deal Island and Cape Otway. The system represents the first example of co-operation between Australian Colonies in sharing costs and responsibilities for mutual benefit.

D. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of place in Tasmania’s history.

Swan Island Lighthouse is of historic heritage significance because it represents the principal characteristics of an Old Colonial Georgian light station.

E. The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement.

The light tower is significant as one of the four pre-1850 light towers in the state of Tasmania. Its method of construction, using rubble-rendered quartzite for the base and shaft, and freestone for the capital is distinctive in design. The high level of intactness of the tower, accompanied with the other original buildings in the light station adds to its aesthetic appeal, and is an important rural coastal landmark.

F. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social or spiritual reasons.

Swan Island Lightstation is of historic heritage significance as a dramatic landmark feature valued by the community.

G. The place has a special association with the life or works of a person, or groups of persons, of importance in Tasmania’s history.

The Swan Island Lighthouse is significant for its association with Sir John Franklin, the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s, who initiated its establishment.

Criteria	Values (including attributes)	Condition	Integrity
Processes	The lighthouse’s value as an integral part of Bass Strait’smid-nineteenth century lighthouse network, and its association with the continuation of convicts in the construction of government facilities in Tasmania during the 1840s.	Good	High
Rarity	The lighthouse’s value as the oldest lighthouse in Bass Strait and as one of four extant pre-1850 Tasmanian lighthouses, and for its distinctive design and form of construction.	Good	High
e) Aesthetic characteristics	The lighthouse’s value as an aesthetic feature and majorlandmark on Swan Island.	Good	High
f) Technical achievement	The lighthouse’s value as a tower composed of a distinctive design and form of construction.	Good	High
h) Significant people	The lighthouse’s value as a tower associated with renowned Sir John Franklin.	Good	High