Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Restoration: Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Victoria and Cape Northumberland Lighthouse, South Australia
Towards the end of 2023 the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reported that it had completed a major restoration project of Cape Nelson Lighthouse, south of Portland, Victoria.
AMSA undertook this $2.13 million restoration to ensure the future safe operation of, and access to, the lighthouse.
Key upgrades undertaken in the refurbishment included:
- Restoration of the lantern room.
- Restoration of the stone structure, including new external coatings.
- Restoration of the internal access ways, including the removal, repair and reinstallation of internal staircases.
- Restoration of the powerhouse, including timber work repairs and new internal/external coatings.
- New electrical systems for both the lighthouse and the powerhouse.
Works took ten months to complete and required the removal of the entire staircase and balustrading. The staircase and balustrading were transported to Melbourne for refurbishment, before being reinstalled in Cape Nelson Lighthouse.
AMSA Acting Executive Director Response Kevin McEvoy said the works were critical to preserving Victoria’s maritime heritage. He said: ‘Cape Nelson Lighthouse has a rich history, and it holds a special place in the heart of the local community.
‘AMSA takes the responsibility of maintaining heritage lighthouses very seriously, because we know they are important to the tourism economy and cultural identity of many regional towns.
‘With this refurbishment, the community will be able to appreciate the majesty and history of Cape Nelson Lighthouse for many years to come.’
McEvoy said AMSA has a history of maintaining the safety of Australia’s aids to navigation network through in-house technical expertise and specialist contractors.
He reflected: ‘Australia’s aids to navigation network has stood for over a century, evolving and expanding with the economic development of Australia and in response to advances in technological innovation, and growth in maritime trade and activity.
‘AMSA has been the custodian of this network for the last thirty-three years, safeguarding the lives of seafarers and our precious seas and coastlines.
‘Together with our state and territory partners, we have ensured the maintenance, modernisation, and growth of this network through our work – today, it stands at more than 22,000 aids to navigation, of which about 450 are directly managed by AMSA.’
Works for Cape Nelson Lighthouse began in November 2022 and were completed a year later.
AMSA has reported the completion of a major capital works project to restore the historic Cape Northumberland Lighthouse, located near Port MacDonnell in South Australia.
AMSA invested $2 million to restore the lighthouse in response to unique circumstances, after local birds, attracted by the high salt content of the stonework, excavated and consumed parts of the historic structure, necessitating a comprehensive refurbishment.
The works included refurbishment of the stone structure and replacement of the decayed limestone, a repaint of all internal and external surfaces of the lighthouse and ancillary building, a refurbishment of the balcony and lantern room, and an electrical system upgrade.
AMSA Executive Director Response, Mark Morrow, highlighted the significance of the Cape Northumberland Lighthouse to the local community. He commented: ‘At South Australia’s southern-most point, Cape Northumberland Lighthouse forms an iconic part of the Port MacDonnell coastline.’
Addressing the unusual cause for refurbishment Morrow expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the newly applied paint coatings to deter future bird-related damage ensuring the longevity of the historical landmark.
He added: ‘This stunning piece of South Australian history is now bird-proof and ready to be enjoyed by future generations.
‘Australia’s aids to navigation network has stood for over a century, evolving and expanding with the economic development of Australia and in response to advances in technological innovation, and growth in maritime trade and activity.
‘AMSA has been the custodian of this network for the last thirty-three years, safeguarding the lives of seafarers and our precious seas and coastlines.
‘Together with our state and territory partners, we have ensured the maintenance, modernisation, and growth of this network through our work – today, it stands at more than 22,000 aids to navigation, of which about 450 are directly managed by AMSA’
Works on Cape Northumberland Lighthouse began in February 2023 and were completed in December last.
Photo courtesy of AMSA
Rapporteur: Paul Ridgway
