Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01286:reg:2019:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01286
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2019 (pt 1/20)
Character Range: 43265–46345

2019         * Balcony, external catwalk, dome (internal) repainted
             * Lantern room internal timber re-varnished
             * Corrosion repairs and repainting of intermediate floors and stairs
             * Lantern glazing resealed

  3.9 Summary of current and former uses
From its construction in 1862, Gabo Island Lighthouse has been used as a marine AtoN for mariners at sea. Its AtoN capability remains its primary use.
The former lightkeeper's quarters are now used to house Parks Victoria rangers carrying out caretaking duties on the island.

  3.10         Summary of past and present community associations
Aboriginal associations
Further consultation is required with Traditional Custodians. AMSA will maintain correspondence with First Peoples - State Relations Group (Department of Premier & Cabinet, VIC) and encourage facilitation of stakeholder consultation via Parks Victoria.
Local, national and international associations
Gabo Island is considered a significant site of Victorian and Australian history. The island and lightstation maintain strong familial associations due to the lighthouse's extensive history as a manned site.
As a recognised habitat for various faunal colonies, Gabo Island is associated locally, nationally and internationally with wildlife conservation.

  3.11         Unresolved questions or historical conflicts
There exists a lack of information in some areas of the lighthouse's history, such as the exact date the site was de-staffed. Research of this topic did not provide a specific year keepers were removed from the island. Widespread automation and de-staffing in Australian lighthouses occurred from 1975 onwards, and in an 1983 report 'Lighthouses: do we keep the keepers?' it was recommended Gabo Island Lighthouse be reduced to two staff.[36] It can only be presumed that the lighthouse was de-staffed sometime around 1993 when the site was automated.
It is also unclear what the intensity of the light became when the 1st order lens was replaced in 1934-1935. Searle determines that the new light had an intensity of 927,000 c.d. while newspaper reports of the time determined it to have 750,000 c.d.[37]

  3.12         Recommendations for further research
Recommendations for further research will be listed here in future versions of the plan.

4 Fabric
4.1 Fabric register
The cultural significance of the lighthouse resides in its fabric, and in its intangible aspects, such as the meanings people ascribe to it, and the connections to other places and things. The survival of its cultural value depends on a well-informed understanding of what is significant, and on clear thinking about the consequences of change. The Burra Charter sets out good practice for conserving cultural significance.
Below, each part of the lighthouse is listed and the description, condition and significance of each part is discussed. Criterion listed under 'Heritage Significance' refer to the criterion satisfied within the specific Commonwealth heritage listing (see section 5.1).
(All images in sub-sections 4.1 and