Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074:reg:2023:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2023 (pt 7/15)
Character Range: 17610–20652

a rocky outcrop and the land drops away on all sides, limiting development around the lighthouse and within its main path of light to the Arafura Sea.
The topography of the island is such that the lighthouse is a visually prominent feature within the broader landscape.

Figure 5. View of Goods Island Lighthouse (© AMSA, 2020)

Fauna and flora
Goods Island shares similar ecosystems with the larger islands of Prince of Wales (Muralug) and Horn (Ngurapai). These islands generally support bush and scrub flora on well-drained slopes. Goods Island's rocky hills are characteristic of this, and the island's surface is covered with low-lying vegetation. The invasive floral species, Snake Weed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), has previously been recorded on the island.[v]

   2.3  Lease and management
AMSA leases the lighthouse from the Department of Natural Resources, Mines, and Energy (QLD), the state body responsible for Goods Island. The AMSA lease, signed on 1 July 2000, consists of two parcels of land:
       * Lot 2 CP890154: 528 metres-squared
       * Lot 3 CP890154: 52 meters-squared
The only structures within this leased-area are:
       * Goods Island Lighthouse
       * Helipad
Additional on-site buildings outside of AMSA's lease include:
       * 2 x ancillary buildings (currently unused)
Figure 6. Map of AMSA lease, Goods Island (Map data: DigitalGlobe Imagery Tile Service, DigitalGlobe Inc. ESRI World Street Map)
   2.4  Access
Goods Island Lighthouse can be accessed via helicopter or vessel. A helipad is located beside the tower, and a path leads through the vegetation to a vessel landing area. Access inside the lighthouse is restricted to authorised personnel only.
Figure 7. Helicopter access at Goods Island Lighthouse site (© AMSA, 2020)

   2.5  Listings
Goods Island Lighthouse is listed on the following heritage registers:
List                             ID
Commonwealth Heritage List       105458[vi]
Register of the National Estate  101518[vii]

  3.   History
   3.1  General history of lighthouses in Australia
The first lighthouse to be constructed on Australian soil was Macquarie Lighthouse, located at the entrance to Port Jackson, NSW. First lit in 1818, the cost of the lighthouse was recovered through the introduction of a levy on shipping. This was instigated by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who ordered and named the light.
The following century oversaw the construction of hundreds of lighthouses around the country. Constructing and maintaining a lighthouse were costly ventures that often required the financial support of multiple colonies. However, they were deemed necessary aids in assisting the safety of mariners at sea. Lighthouses were firstly managed by the colony they lay within, with each colony developing their own style of lighthouse and operational system. Following Federation in 1901, which saw the various colonies unite under one Commonwealth government, lighthouse management was transferred from state hands to the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service.

Lamps and