Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074:reg:2023:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00074
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2023 (pt 9/15)
Character Range: 22995–25885

Dalén's system included the sun valve, the mixer, the flasher, and the cylinder containing compressed acetylene. Due to their efficiency and reliability, Dalén's inventions led to the gradual de-staffing of lighthouses. Acetylene was quickly adopted by the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service from 1915 onwards.

Large dioptric lenses, such as that shown in Figure 9, gradually decreased in popularity due to cost and the move towards unmanned automatic lighthouses. By the early 1900s, Australia had stopped ordering these lenses with the last installed at Eclipse Island in Western Australia in 1927. Smaller Fresnel lenses continued to be produced and installed until the 1970s when plastic lanterns, still utilising Fresnel's technology, were favoured instead. Acetylene remained in use until it was finally phased out in the 1990s.

In the current day, Australian lighthouses are lit and extinguished automatically using mains power, diesel generators, and solar-voltaic systems.

  3.2 The Commonwealth Lighthouse Service
When the Australian colonies federated in 1901, they decided that the new Commonwealth government would be responsible for coastal lighthouses—that is, major lights used by vessels travelling from port to port—but not the minor lights used for navigation within harbours and rivers. There was a delay before this new arrangement came into effect. Existing lights continued to be operated by the states.
Since 1915, various Commonwealth departments have managed lighthouses. AMSA, established under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 (Cth), is now responsible for operating Commonwealth lighthouses and other aids to navigation, along with its other functions.

  3.3 Goods Island: a history
Aboriginal history
Goods Island is in the Kaiwalagal region (Endeavour Strait) and is known by Kaurareg people traditionally as Palilag, and the island is referred to in the Waubin Dreaming Story. Waubin of Muralag (Prince of Wales Island), was feared by men and known to wield kubai (a throwing stick known as a woomera), a kalak (a spear) and baidamal baba. Waubin would collect wives for every man he killed, and he lived with them at his home, Rabau Nguki. Eventually Waubin had to leave Rabau Nguki with his wives, and he led them to Badhaukuth on the western side of Muralag, then to Gialag (Friday Island), before reaching Palilag. Although Waubin continued on to Nomi (Round Island), Koimilai (a point on Kiriri), he left some of his wives at Palilag and they all turned to stone. As for Waubin, he stepped into the sea near Gobau Ngur, a rocky headland of Kiriri, and turned to stone.[ix]

Although there was no long-term inhabitation of the Palilag, it is understood the island was regularly visited and used as fishing grounds both before, during and after European settlement. At least two fish traps have been recorded on Palilag, one being the