Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01339:reg:372:p46
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01339
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 372 (pt 46/62)
Character Range: 291077–293936

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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, and so possesses aesthetic significance. Significant too is the bare, windswept setting on top of dramatic sandstone cliffs.

Attributes
The cottage's form scale and materials and setting, plus its relationship to other buildings in the lightstation precinct.

Criterion H Significant people

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
The building form and fabric that dates to each architect.

Description

HISTORY

As early as 1788 a lookout post was established at South Head to maintain a watch for ships. In 1791 a column was erected to act as a signal for approaching vessels, and two years later a fire was lit as an additional navigational beacon. By the early 1800s a road had been built to the area and it was subsequently improved. A flagstaff was built as a signal station for shipping, but it was realised soon that a lighthouse needed to be erected.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie commissioned the project, and convict architect Francis Greenway, who played a very important role in early Australian architecture, designed the light tower and associated buildings. The Macquarie Lighthouse, as it became known, commenced operation in 1818. Greenway's reward was his conditional freedom.

The complex included four corner lodges or pavilions which were used as military barracks. In the mid 1830s it was decided to enlarge the south-western one of these into a Head Keeper's Cottage. The design of the enlarged building was probably executed by Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis. The Cottage was completed in 1836.

Decay of the stone in the tower over successive decades meant that a replacement lightstation was required. James Barnet, who as Colonial Architect for 25 years had a major influence on NSW building design, designed the new complex and it was closely based on Greenway's original. The new station was ready by 1883 and for some of that year the two lightstations stood adjacent to one another until Greenway's was demolished. In addition to the replacement tower, the new works included Assistant Keepers' Quarters and other structures. In about 1899 a new wing was added to the Head Keeper's Cottage and this work demolished most of the remaining section of the Greenway lodge (only the eastern wall survived).

In 1976 the Macquarie Lighthouse was fully automated and there were no longer keepers to be accommodated. During the