Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01339:reg:372:p45
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01339
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 372 (pt 45/62)
Character Range: 288253–291346

very early Australian lightstation (separately registered, RNE 2519) and, for nearly 150 years, the Cottage played an important role in the safety of shipping using Australia's oldest port. (Criterion A4) (Themes: 3.8.1 Shipping to and from Australian ports, 3.16.1 Dealing with hazards and disasters, 8.12 Living in and around Australian homes)

The building is the oldest intact freestanding lightkeeper's quarters in Australia. Further, it provides material evidence of the changing living conditions of lighthouse keepers and their families over a lengthy period. (Criterion B.2)

The Cottage is a rare and important example of an 1830s government-built cottage residence, and the original and early fabric, both external and internal, contributes to this significance. (Criterion D.2)

The building is of added importance for its associations with several key nineteenth century architects: Francis Greenway, Mortimer Lewis and James Barnet. Rarely does a building have links with three such outstanding figues in Australia's architectural history. (Criteria H.1 and B.2)

Owing to its form, scale and materials, and its place within the balanced layout and spacing of the buildings that form the lightstation group, the Cottage contributes to the visual harmony of the lightstation precinct, and so possesses aesthetic significance. Significant too is the bare, windswept setting on top of dramatic sandstone cliffs. (Criterion E.1)

Official Values

Criterion A Processes

The former Head Keeper's Cottage at Macquarie Lighthouse, dating mainly from 1836, is historically highly significant. It is directly associated with a very early Australian lightstation and, for nearly 150 years, the Cottage played an important role in the safety of shipping using Australia's oldest port.

Attributes
All of the historic fabric and setting of the cottage.

Criterion B Rarity

The building is the oldest intact freestanding lightkeeper's quarters in Australia. Further, it provides material evidence of the changing living conditions of lighthouse keepers and their families over a lengthy period. The building is of added importance for its associations with several key nineteenth century architects: Francis Greenway, Mortimer Lewis and James Barnet. Rarely does a building have links with three such outstanding figures in Australia's architectural history.

Attributes
All of the historic fabric and setting of the cottage, plus fabric that demonstrates changing living conditions of lighthouse keepers and their families over time.

Criterion D Characteristic values

The Cottage is a rare and important example of an 1830s government-built cottage residence, and the original and early fabric, both external and internal, contributes to this significance.

Attributes
The original and early fabric, both external and internal.

Criterion E Aesthetic characteristics

Owing to its form, scale and materials, and its place within the balanced layout and spacing of the buildings that form the lightstation group, the Cottage contributes to the visual harmony of the lightstation precinct,