Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074:reg:2023:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2023 (pt 12/15)
Character Range: 30658–33316

the North Queensland coast.

A signal station had previously been established on Goods Island c. 1877, and it was determined by Heath that the signalman already stationed on the island could also operate a lighthouse. Heath wrote in his annual report: "In Torres Straits a good position light is required at Goode Island to point out the position of the entrance to Normanby Sound and the Prince of Wales Channel. This light could be attended to by the signalman stationed on the island".[xviii]
However, fiscal restraint exercised by the 1879 McIlwraith Government delayed the initial construction of the lighthouse.

Heath's Notice to Mariners (No. 27 of 1882) dated 13th October 1882 stated:

    'On and after this date, a Temporary Light will be exhibited from the [first] Signalman's Cottage on Goode Island at an elevation of 250 feet above the sea level. The Light will be visible from a distance of 7 or 8 miles when clear of the North end of Hammond Island and North about, until it bears E.N.E and also in Normanby Sound between N by E and N.W by N.'[xix]

When exhibited, the light was described in Pugh's Almanac:

    'A bright light is shown from sunset to sunrise from the veranda of the signalman's cottage on Goode Island. It is about 250 feet above sea level and is visible over an area from N.E by E round by North to W.S.W, to a distance of 8 or 9 miles in fine weather.'[xx]

Heath visited the Torres Strait, including Goods Island, in 1886 and selected the site for the lighthouse on the highest point, Western Hill, near Tucker Point, at 327 feet (99.7 metres) above sea level.[xxi] Heath noted in his report of this trip to the Torres Strait that the increase in ship traffic through the straits, particularly from Cooktown, was most likely due to the discovery of gold on the Palmer River in 1873 and migration to the goldfields.[xxii]

Design and construction
No requests for tenders were issued for the construction of the lighthouse, indicating that the lighthouse was likely constructed by the Queensland Government as opposed to hiring private contractors. It is believed that Goods Island Lighthouse was the only lighthouse of this type to be built entirely by the Queensland Government during the late-nineteenth century.[xxiii]

An order was made for a light destined for Goods Island, and this was captured in correspondence to the Queensland treasurer in 1886:

    'For Goode Island, one fixed 4th order apparatus, to illuminate an arc of 180°, & to be fitted with totally reflecting glass mirrors. The lamp to be fitted with three burners & spare reservoir & tubing. The burners to be fitted with 2 wicks, & without