Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L00095:body:0:p23
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L00095
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 57761–60665

been modified.

The Lightstation Complex of tower, houses, store shed, engine room and combined workshop/radio room, dating from 1879 to c. 1960, are significant as a complete intact example of a Lightstation Complex in Queensland. Later stages of development have integrated with the original fabric and detail of the Lightstation, contributing to the continuum of a complex dedicated to the single aim of maintaining the navigation aid (Criterion A.4).

5.3. Cultural values
Again, the text from the current Commonwealth Heritage List is shown in italic type below, with comments interspersed in roman type:

5.3.1. Processes (criterion a)

Dent Lighthouse, constructed in 1879, is significant as a light tower built in response to the dramatic expansion of regular coastal shipping along the inner route of the Great Barrier Reef, following the economic development of Northern Queensland.

The Lightstation Complex of tower, houses, store shed, engine room and combined workshop/radio room, dating from 1879 to c. 1960 is significant as a complete intact example of a Lightstation Complex in Queensland. Later stages of development have integrated with the original fabric and detail of the Lightstation, contributing to the continuum of a complex dedicated to the single aim of maintaining the navigation aids.

Attributes: The lighthouse and its relationship to the houses, storage shed, engine room and combined workshop/radio room, dating from 1879 to c.1960.

5.3.2. Rarity (criterion b)
(This criterion is not referred to in the Commonwealth Heritage List)

While the lightstation might not possess sufficient rarity to meet the threshold for Commonwealth listing, the 1879 lighthouse is one of only six of its type to survive in service. Such lighthouses were never common — a total of 12 of this type were built between 1873 and 1890.[2] Another related aspect is the use of a type of lantern house locally designed (in the Colonial Architect's office) — ten lanterns of this design were built, of which five survive in service.[3]

The shore-mounted derrick crane, built around 1960, is another rare element of the lightstation. Such cranes were built at some other lightstations, but few survive as intact as the one at Dent Island.[4]

Attributes: The lighthouse tower with its timber frame, stairs, ladder, floors, partition walls, and doors; the iron plating and bronze porthole windows; the lantern house — all of these elements were locally designed and made in Queensland. Also the derrick crane with its associated winch house.

5.3.3. Characteristic values (criterion d)
The Lighthouse is significant as an intact representative example of a timber-framed, iron clad tower (Type B), an adaptation by the Queensland Government of the imported prefabricated type using components from the United Kingdom. Dent Lighthouse is important as one of a pair of identical lighthouse towers