Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01461:front:0:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01461
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 25784–28988

below outlines the timeline for Tasmanian lighthouse management.
Time Period  Administration
1915-1927:   Lighthouse District No. 3 (Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania), Hobart Headquarters.

             Deputy Director of Lighthouses and Navigation, Tasmania.
1927-1963:
             Department of Shipping and Transport, Regional Controller, Tasmania.
1963-1972:
             Department of Transport [III], Regional Controller, Tasmania.
1972-1982:
             Department of Transport and Construction. Victoria-Tasmania Region, Transport Division (Tasmania).
1982-1983:
             Department of Transport [IV] Victoria-Tasmania Region, Hobart Office.

1983-1985:   Department of Transport [IV], Tasmanian Region.

1985-1987:   Department of Transport and Communications, Tasmanian Region.

1987-1990:   Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

1991-

  3.4  Mersey Bluff: a history
Aboriginal history
The history of the bluff stretches back thousands of generations, and there are many sites of Aboriginal heritage significance located mere meters from the lighthouse tower. This includes middens, tea tree living grounds, and petroglyphs. Stone artefacts were also found on the bluff, many of which have been removed.

Further consultation with the local Aboriginal Corporation will be reflected in this section future versions of the plan.

Early European history
The Mersey River was first traversed by European explorers in 1823, but the landscape was deemed unfavourable for settlement. In 1826 however, the establishment of the Van Diemen's Land Co. resulted in the region being explored, surveyed and settled – headed by Captain Bartholomew Boyle Thomas.
The settlements of Torquay and Formby were established in 1851 and 1853 respectively – Torquay on the eastern bank of the Mersey River and Formby on the western. By 1854, a wharf and other port facilities had been completed, and the trading of agricultural produce and timber increased significantly. In 1890, the settlements of Torquay and Formby amalgamated creating the township of Devonport.[8]

  3.5 Building a lighthouse
Why Mersey Bluff?

Prior to the installation of a lighthouse, an obelisk was mounted on Mersey Bluff that could be observed for some distance from sea. However, the obelisk could not be sighted after nightfall nor during cloudy conditions, leaving mariners entering the river from the westward completely unguided. Owing to the ever-increasing popularity of Formby (later Devonport) as a hub for agricultural and timber trade, the Marine Board determined that a light should be established on the Bluff in place of the obelisk.[9] The Bluff's position at the mouth of the Mersey River ensured the safe passage of mariners entering from Bass Strait.

Design

Mersey Bluff Lighthouse was designed by Huckson and Hutchison of Hobart. The original 1889 blueprint design illustrated a circular brick structure complete with capstone and weather vane.
Huckson & Hutchinson
Huckson & Hutchinson was founded in 1887 by Robert Huckson and R. Hutchinson. The firm was responsible for the design of many Tasmanian lighthouses including Table Cape, Mersey Bluff, Eddystone Point, Maatsuyker, Cape Sorrell, and Low Head.