Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547:reg:1999:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1999 (pt 8/19)
Character Range: 65912–69084

and essential part of the lighthouse (criterion a).

Description and condition

 14 solar panels on aluminium frame on concrete base, near the base of the tower, beside the much larger solar array used by the NPWS.

 Two cabinets containing batteries and control equipment at the rear of solar array.

Condition        sound
Integrity        high
Significance     low
Maintenance      none
Rectification    none
works

 Heritage significance: Low

 4.2             Related object or associated AMSA artefact

 There are no AMSA registered artefacts.

4.3             Comparative analysis

 The South Solitary Island Lighthouse, first lit  in 1880, bears the closest resemblance to the
 Montague Island Lighthouse in design and style.

 Designed by James Barnet, South Solitary Island Lighthouse stands as a mass concrete structure. Similar to Montague Island, South Solitary's cylindrical tower was originally constructed to be slightly tapered in design with an outwardly sloping gunmetal balcony railing fitted around a Chance Bros. lantern room.  The two lighthouses also  share similar fittings such as the geometric cast  iron stairs located within the tower. The lighthouses were both originally fitted with 1st Order Chance Bros. optical assemblies.

 Unlike Montague Island, South Solitary's tower was painted white and the base of the tower was enclosed by a small annex which contained the oil store.

 The close stylistic resemblances of Montague Island and South Solitary Island, built one year apart, are indicative of James Barnet's vision for NSW's 'highway of lights'. Despite some variation between the designs, both of the isolated island towers represent late-19th century craftsmanship and technical achievement.

  Figure 21. South Solitary Island Lighthouse elevation blueprint (James Barnet, 1878)

   5.   Heritage Significance

5.1             Commonwealth heritage list – Montague Island Lighthouse

Statement of Commonwealth heritage
 significance

 The following statement of significance is taken from the Montague Island Lighthouse listing on the Australian Heritage Database (Place ID: 105601)c

   The Montague Island Lighthouse tower, opened in 1881, is significant for its long association with the development and provision of maritime aids along the New South Wales coast, and for its part in
   the history of Australian shipping over a considerable period (criterion a). (Themes:
   3.8.1 Shipping to and from Australian ports,
   3.16.1 Dealing with hazards and  disasters)

   The granite tower, with tapering walls, outward curving platform and curved balustrade, is a well-proportioned  structure  displaying  very fine elements of design and craftsmanship.
   The tower is also a good example of a late- 19th century light tower on the NSW coast (criterion f, criterion d).

   The Montague tower is one of the only two offshore island lighthouses along the NSW coast (criterion b).

   Additionally significant is the fact that the  tower was designed by NSW Colonial  Architect James Barnet. Barnet played a seminal role into the development of the colony's architecture over 25 years (criterion