Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L00095:body:0:p25
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L00095
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 63051–69685

Spa bath and roof
    21 Fowl house

6.3. The lighthouse (AMSA property)
Except for the lighting equipment and its energy source, the lighthouse is little changed from its original form. The original kerosene wick burner was replaced with a brighter incandescent kerosene burner in the mid-1920s. The original roller pedestal was also replaced with a mercury float pedestal around the same time, and the lens assembly may have been changed.

In 1983 the light was automated by removing the fourth order dioptric lens assembly and kerosene burner, and fitting a Tideland ML-300 self-contained electric beacon powered by batteries charged by solar panels attached to the balcony handrail. The electric beacon was mounted on the 1920s Chance Brothers pedestal (the mercury having been removed from the trough). A fence of galvanised iron pipe and chain wire was built around the lighthouse.

In 2010 the ML-300 beacon (lit by a tungsten halogen lamp) was replaced with a new Sabik beacon lit by light emitting diode (LED) lamps.

The wire fence was removed by AMSA in 2011. AMSA intends to remove the remnant fence post bases.

6.3.1. Elements of the lighthouse

Element                                                               History                                                                                                                                                                                    Description and condition                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Significance
Footing and tower base

                                                                      Built in 1879 and not substantially altered.                                                                                                                                               Circular mass concrete footing extending 900 mm below ground level and standing 700 mm above ground.                                                                                                                                                                        Highly significant for these reasons:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 In­cludes stone surrounding wall, two stone entry steps and central weight pit.                                                                                                                                                                                             The base is an essen­tial part of the lighthouse and dem­onstrates a local Queensland design (criterion a).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 All in good stable condition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The base is a char­acteristic element of lighthouses of its type (criterion d).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The base is an essential part of the innovative structural design of the Queensland timber and iron lighthouse towers (criterion f).

Tower

                                                                      Built in 1879 and not substantially altered. The hardwood frame was prefabricated in Brisbane, then brought to Dent Island for erection.                                                   Frame of hardwood studs and rails with joints reinforced with forged iron straps, lined with diagonal pine tongue and groove boards.                                                                                                                                        Highly significant for these reasons:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Pine tongue and groove boarded weight tube between ground floor and lantern floor.                                                                                                                                                                                          The tower is an essential part of the light­house and dem­onstrates a local Queensland design (criterion a).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Timber stair with two straight runs and one section of winders, from ground floor to first floor. Fixed vertical timber ladder from first floor to lantern floor.                                                                                                           The tower is a characteristic ele­ment of light­houses of its type (criterion d).
(Source: National Archives of Australia, series J2775, item 1717459)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ground floor entry door with timber framed and sheeted leaf with inset metal louvre vent panel. Internal panelled door on first floor lantern vesti­bule/airlock.                                                                                                           The tower contributes to the