Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547:reg:1999:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1999 (pt 3/19)
Character Range: 50618–53724

Island Lighthouse.These works have been undertaken as proactive measures to preserve the tower's fabric and materials.

 Date          Works Completed
 Circa 1980s   Lantern room refurbished
Sept 1986     Original lantern and lens removed
              from tower

3.9             Summary of current and former uses

 From its construction in 1881, the Montague Island Lightouse has been used as a marine AtoN. Its AtoN capabilities remain its primary use.

 The Montague Island Lighthouse as a key tourism site developed over recent decades following
 the transferral of the Island to the NPWS, and the keepers' cottages are now used for tourist accomodation.

 The Montague Island Lightstation precint is now used:

•          to house NPWS staff stationed on the island, as well as accomodating researchers and tour guides

•          a key tourism site, with facilities.

3.10         Summary of past and present community associations

Aboriginal associations

 The Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council shared with AMSA the following:

 "The language spoken is Dhurga. Both Walbunja  Yuin and Djirridjan Yuin claim connection to Barranguba.   Please note that all Yuin  people have a connection to Barranguba, Nadjanuka and Gulaga as they forever protect their people.

 Today our people are restricted from accessing our special places which is due to white man's laws and regulations."

 AMSA is currently working to erect a symbol on the island to acknowledge the Yuin people's Elders, past, present and future generation.

Local, National, and International associations

 Montague Island maintains firm state and national associations owing to its standing as a nature reserve under the NPWS. Montague Island Nature Reserve hosts one of the longest running seabird research programs in the world. This, combined with the unique species  present,  the accessibility of the island and its geographical location and significant size highlights the importance of Montague Island ecologically and scientifically.
 The nature reserve offers a protective sanctuary to
 species of local and national concern.

 The lighthouse itself maintains strong associations with past lighthouse keeping families owing to
 the significant period of time the lightstation was
 manned.

3.11         Unresolved questions or historical
     conflicts

 A number of dates are disputed amongst past research.

 The year the lighthouse was de-manned is disputed. Some sources credit 1985, others credit 1986. There is also uncertainty over which year the island was handed over to the NPWS with sources citing 1987-89.

 Despite much of its history being recorded, information on the lighthouse keepers of Montague Island is relatively limited. The list of names and years of service is incomplete and very little is  known about the majority of those that occupied the site for more than 80 years.

3.12         Recommendations for further research

 Archaeological investigation of the site may reveal further information on prehistoric and historic uses of Montague Island to broaden understandings of