Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01339:reg:372:p55
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01339
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 372 (pt 55/62)
Character Range: 315372–318367

early period of European settlement, including the isolation of the site and of the colony and the necessity to quarry materials on site. The Lightstation is significant for providing material evidence of the changing living and working conditions of the lighthouse keepers and their families, who constitute an early maritime community.

Criterion B Rarity

The Macquarie Lightstation, built in 1883, is significant as the site of the first lighthouse to be built in Australia and represents the longest continuously operating site of a navigational beacon in Australia.

Criterion E Aesthetic characteristics

The Lightstation is significant for its outstanding landscape value, located on a dominant and dramatic portion at the entry to Sydney Harbour. The nineteenth century buildings possess a visual unity in their harmony form, scale, materials and textures.

Criterion F Technical achievement

The Lightstation is significant for its outstanding landscape value, located on a dominant and dramatic portion at the entry to Sydney Harbour. The nineteenth century buildings possess a visual unity in their harmony form, scale, materials and textures.

Criterion H Significant people

The Lightstation is significant for providing a rare example of the historical association with the colonial Governor Lachlan Macquarie and with colonial Architects Francis Greenway and James Barnet.

Description

Situated at the South Pacific Ocean on Sydney's southern headland, Macquarie Lighthouse is a prominent regional landmark. An icon of National significance, the tower is representative of the vital link and dependence of Australia with the sea. The property is located 18km from the central business district of Sydney, situated wholly within the Municipality of Woollahra in the suburb of Vaucluse. The Lightstation precinct covers an area of approximately 2.2ha. Over 170 years of settlement are represented on the site, including remnants of the colonial 1816 Lighthouse, retaining wall and various archaeological sites. There are four primary structures, predominantly of Victorian vintage. These include the Lighthouse, the Head Lighthouse Keeper's quarters and the duplex of the Assistant Keepers' quarters, all substantially constructed in the 1880s. A townhouse complex occupies a south-eastern part of the property. This is the largest of the residential buildings, (consisting of four dwellings) and was constructed in stages from 1969-72. Macquarie Lighthouse was the first to be erected in Australia. The building of the signal station and Lighthouse, which was to be known as Macquarie Tower, commenced in 1816 and was completed on 16 March 1818. It was designed by Captain John Gill, Acting Principal Engineer of the Government and was built under the supervision of Francis Howard Greenway with the Government Acting Architect. However, the sandstone walls soon began to crumble away and within fifty years the tower had to be strapped with iron bands. In 1881 the building of a