Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00357:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00357
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Character Range: 28469–31246

the light would be visible a distance of 5.5 miles further south than would be Cape Banks. Smoke from the industrial establishments on the north shore of Botany Bay (the Bunnerong Power House is quite close) will reduce the visibility of a light at Cape Banks.
    A light can be constructed at Cape Baily at less cost than can one at Cape Banks.
    As the cliffs to the northward of Cape Baily rise gradually, a small tower is desirable in order to secure the maximum arc of visibility to the northward.[xiv]

As discerned from the report, Cape Baily was considered a more favourable position, primarily due to the amount of pollution from the Bunnerong power station near Cape Banks.

  3.5 Building a lighthouse

Planned, but not built
With a site inspected and chosen, initial designs were drafted and the lens and pedestal components were ordered from Chance Brothers & Co. and paid for in 1931.[xv] However, the construction of Cape Baily Lighthouse suffered significant delays, and it would be a further 19 years before a lighthouse was constructed. Firstly, delays were attributed to the loss of the vessel SS Minmi which saw the loss of two lives.[xvi] Additionally, the onset of the Second World War reduced funds significantly. Attention was turned to Cape Banks which became the location of a shore defence battery to control the entrance to Botany Bay during this time.
As a result of these delays, the Chance Bros. equipment ordered in 1931 was placed in storage upon delivery until 1934, whereupon the items were installed in other navigational aids sites.[xvii] The proposed lighthouse at Cape Baily did not gain momentum until 1948. Design specifications were tabled by the Department of Shipping & Fuel and in 1949, the final design was decided upon.[xviii]

Design
With funds secured, the design of the Cape Baily Lighthouse was reviewed, and a memo dated 1948 titled 'Brief Specification' stated, 'Appearance. In view of the proximity of the site to Cronulla the tower should be of a simple but pleasing architectural appearance'.[xix] This guided the proposed designs that were considered during this time. By 1949, the design was narrowed down to five possibilities, the design pictured eventually being chosen (see Figure 12).
Figure 12. Design chosen for Cape Baily Lighthouse. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: SP155/1, MISC21994L (© Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives of Australia)
Construction
Tenders for the construction of Cape Baily lighthouse were called on 8 March 1950. The successful contractors were K.A. Golding and C.F.W. Kewley, and the contract was signed 24 July 1950. Acceptance of the tender was listed in the Commonwealth Gazette of 3 August 1950.[xx]
The desired date of completion of the lighthouse