Norah Head Lightstation Precinct

In the early years of European settlement all ships were bound for Port Jackson but little effort was made to guide them safely into port. In January 1793 a light was used for the first time near the signal station on South Head to guide a ship, the Bellona into the harbour. A flare was maintained until the first lighthouse (Macquarie Lighthouse) was commissioned on South Head in 1818. in 1903-4 and Tasmania built one on Tasman Island in 1906, but the states were otherwise inactive as they awaited developments on the part of the Federal government. and the lighthouse was named in his honour. For forty years, it remained the only lighthouse on the coast of present-day NSW. By the 1850s, the colonial economy had been boosted by the discovery of gold, and the population of NSW doubled between 1851 and 1860. A period of lighthouse building spanning almost 50 years followed, beginning in 1858 with the construction of the Hornby Light on Sydney's Inner South Head. After 1862, with the appointment of Frances Hixson, NSW embarked upon an ambitious program of lighthouse building erecting some 17 major lights prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service in 1915. This saw a lighthouse on average every along the NSW coast, the highest density in Australia. Because of a combination of factors including the fact that James Barnet was the Colonial Architect for most of this time (1862–1890), the 1890s economic depression, and Federation in 1901, most of the NSW lighthouses were designed by Barnet. The lightstations built after 1890 are therefore comparatively rare, only the major lights being established between that date and the take over by the Commonwealth in 1915; these lights are Point Perpendicular (1899), Smoky Cape (1891), Cape Byron (1901) and Norah Head (1903). The construction of Point Perpendicular lighthouse in 1897 brought a significant change to lighthouse construction in the colony. In an effort to reduce the cost of building in remote areas, a standard design was developed using precast concrete blocks and local aggregates. After the completion of Point Perpendicular lighthouse, similar structures were erected at Cape Byron in and at Norah Head. Norah Head Mariners were calling for the erection of a lighthouse on "Bungaree Noragh Point" (Norah Head) as early as 1861. Ten wrecks occurred in the area of Norah Head over the years 1894 to 1903, one of the most tragic being the steamer, Gwydir, in 1894, in which three lives were lost. Edward Hammond Hargraves (1816–1891), gold rush publicist, was influential in pressing for the construction of a lightstation. From his nearby residence at Norahville, he had become aware of the growing number of wrecks occurring in the vicinity. Regular agitation by mariners and the public over many years, was unproductive. One of the last acts, however of the Newcastle Marine Board, prior to its abolition, was to recommend the construction of a lighthouse at Norah Head. Responsibility for lighthouses then passed to the Public Works Department. As a result of the 1887 Board of Inquiry into the Civil Service, the design of lighthouses was partly transferred from the Colonial Architects Office to the Harbours and Rivers Navigation Branch. The plans for Norah Head were initialled by Charles Assinder Harding and signed by Cecil Darley, Engineer in Chief for Public Works. James Barnet claimed responsibility for the design of this lighthouse and for similar structures previously built at Point Perpendicular and Byron Bay, his influence can be seen in the design. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1901, and was undertaken by day labour. Materials for the lighthouse were brought by boat into Cabbage Tree Harbour and unloaded onto a wharf which had been constructed for this purpose. The lighthouse was completed in 1903. It follows in all essentials the precast block construction method using local aggregates which was first introduced at Point Perpendicular in 1899. It was the last staffed lighthouse constructed in NSW. Also constructed 1902/3 were: a lightkeepers cottage with garden (concrete blocks with terracotta tiles of the Marseilles pattern on the roof); a small building for a fuel store, workshop and paint store and earth closet (concrete blocks with terracotta tiles of the Marseilles pattern on the roof); Assistant Keeper's duplex (eastern and western quarters) built of concrete blocks with terracotta tiles of the Marseilles pattern on the roof; a signal house constructed as a flag house for the flagstaff (constructed of precast concrete blocks painted, cemented inside, with roof of concrete); a timber flagstaff; a stables constructed of concrete blocks with terracotta tiles of the Marseilles pattern for the roof; and two small fuel stores (earth closet and sink) constructed of concrete blocks, with roofs of terracotta tiles of the Marseilles pattern. The Norah Headquarters are almost identical in design to those at Cape Byron constructed two years earlier, but significantly different from those at Point Perpendicular. The buildings contain the elaborate stormwater and sullage systems typical of the work of Barnet and Harding. A lantern, of the type used on the New South Wales coast by Barnet, was fitted with a kerosene burning first order dioptric revolving light system manufactured by the Birmingham firm of Chance Bros. Chance Brothers and Co., Limited, Lighthouse Engineers and Constructors, of Smethwick, Birmingham, England were by the beginning of the 20th century the sole lighthouse manufacturers. The focal plane of the light was above high water mark and visibility horizon was . The light was first exhibited on 15 November 1903. The original light was on 438,000 candle power. The cost of the optical apparatus in 1901 was A£5,000. On 13 April 1923, the concentric wick burner inside the lens was replaced by a Ford-Schmidt kerosene burner and the light power was increased to 700,000 candle power. In 1960 the stables were converted to a garage. On 28 March 1961 the light was converted to electric operation and the power was increased to 1,000,000 candelas. At the same time the staffing of the light was reduced from three lightkeepers to two. The Lightstation has been a popular tourist attraction since it began operating. In April 1993, Norah Head was one of only 18 staffed lightstations in Australia administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The lighthouse was automated and destaffed in 1994. The lighthouse reserve was handed over in 1997 to NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation. The site is now managed by the Norah Head Lighthouse Trust and used as a tourist destination, for holiday accommodation as a mix of day- and longer-term accommodation uses. == Description ==

This lighthouse group, designed and constructed under the direction of C. W. Darley, Engineer-in-Chief for Public Works, and completed in 1903 follows in all essentials the precast block construction method using local aggregates which was first introduced at Point Perpendicular in 1899. Its splendid lantern of the type made famous on the New South Wales coast by Colonial Architect James Barnet, was fitted with a kerosene burning first order dioptric revolving light system manufactured by the Birmingham firm of Chance Bros. Focal plane of the light is above highwater mark and visibility horizon is . While Norah Head lighthouse demonstrated the principal design features of the Barnet style colonial architecture, it had to have a tower because of its location on the low headland north of Tuggerah Lake entrance and its lantern was three times as powerful as that at Byron Bay which was opened only two years previously. Residences and minor buildings adjoin the tower site and are of the standard type. Roofs, originally corrugated iron are now tiled. was the first to be constructed using precast concrete blocks. The precast block construction was subsequently used at Cape Byron (1901) and Norah Head (1903). The Cape Byron complex consists of a lighthouse tower with store rooms at base, a head keeper's cottage, and an assistant keepers duplex. Sugarloaf Point was the first major lighthouse designed by Barnet. Condition As at 24 January 2006, it is considered intact and in good condition. The lightstation has intrinsic integrity, in that most external and internal items of the lighthouse, keepers' cottages and associated structures are largely intact, enabling ready understanding and interpretation of how the facility has been operated since its establishment. Modifications and dates On 13 April 1923, the concentric wick burner inside the lens was replaced by a Ford-Schmidt kerosene burner and the light power was increased to 700,000 candle power. On 28 March 1961 the light was converted to electric operation and the power was increased to 1,000,000 candelas. A number of changes occurred including the replacement of the roofing with concrete tiles, chimneys have been demolished. A number of changes occurred including the replacement of the roofing with concrete tiles, chimneys have been demolished. The former stables building, which was converted to a garage, is a simple rectangular concrete block building; in the terracotta tiled roof was replaced with concrete tiles. == Heritage listing ==

As at 10 April 2006, Norah Head is the third lighthouse of a type that developed from an exercise in standardisation to reduce the cost of building in remote areas. All three buildings remain in good condition today. The architectural profiles and details are pleasing and installed optical mechanisms, while historically unique, continue to serve after conversion to electric power operation. The place is significant for its spiritual and cultural association with the Darkinjung people. The place was used by the Darkinjung people as a camp site, burial place and all stages of the rites of passage from childhood to adulthood have occurred there since ancestral times. Sites include a burial, a dreaming site, middens, campsites, engravings and a scarred tree. The lightstation is a late contributor to the 1870s vision of NSW Marine Board President, Francis Hixson, who wanted the coast "Illuminated like a street with lamps". (Reid, G. 1988, p76). Norah Head lightstation served to supplement navigational aids on the NSW and Australian coastline, operated by keepers from as early as 1818 through recent times when lighthouses were de-manned. Norah Head had a history of shipwrecks and associated loss of life. The lighthouse provides an important navigational aid to operators of ocean craft in the vicinity of Norah Head. The lighthouse keepers' cottages are associated with the occupation of the site and manning of the lighthouse from 1903 up to the time the lighthouse became fully automated. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The lighthouse and signal house are significant as a prominent landmark that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding headland environment. While Norah Head lighthouse demonstrated the principal design features of the Barnet style colonial architecture, it had to have a tower because of its location on the low headland north of Tuggerah Lake entrance and its lantern was three times as powerful as that at Byron Bay which was opened only two years previously. The lighthouse is representative of the classical style and form that developed from Francis Greenway's South Head Lighthouse (1818) and was used by James Barnet at Sugarloaf Point (1875). Documentary evidence indicates that Norah Head Lightstation was designed by Charles Assinder Harding, who was also in charge of its erection. It is an example of the influence of the Barnet lighthouse style. The lighthouse is idiosyncratic in detail with its decorative domed entrance and pediments. Other major lighthouses attributed to Harding's design are Point Perpendicular Lighthouses (1899) and Cape Byron (1901). These lighthouses are comparatively similar in style and construction method to those of Norah Head and the three make a significant group. Design of the lesser Crookhaven Heads (1904) is also attributed to Harding as his fourth and last lighthouse. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The place is significant to the contemporary community of mariners, tourists, and to the Central Coast community. The Darkinjung people regard the cultural sites for which they have knowledge with sufficient reverence to place a native title claim and believe in maintaining the cultural and spiritual links for posterity. Most external and internal items of the lighthouse, keepers' cottages and associated structures are largely intact, enabling ready understanding/ interpretation of how the facility has been operated since its establishment and of the keepers' lifestyle. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The place is associated with a distinctive phase of lighthouse construction, using precast concrete block design, a new construction technique of the time. The tower construction, in particular the lantern balcony is significant for its use of trachyte obtained and pre-worked off site in a stone quarry at Bowral. The ground, first, second and third floor interior of the lighthouse tower are paved with quality black and white tiles in checkerboard patterns. The original lens crystal and each phase in the evolution of the light has technical research potential. The place has aboriginal significance and includes rock shelters, platforms and midden/camp sites. The place has the potential to reveal archaeologically material of aboriginal significance. The immediate area around the lighthouse, flagstaff, weather sheds and the cliff faces has archaeological potential and significance. The place has ecological significance as a habitat for threatened species and as - an example of remnant littoral rainforest. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The Lighthouse retains its integrity despite changes in the light power source from kerosene to electricity. The lighthouse electric power is backed-up by a Lister diesel generator. The original 1902 Chance Bros lens is intact and rotates with minimal friction on bath of mercury. Cape Byron lighthouse has a similar mercury float. These are the last of this type in operation at NSW lighthouses. Most external and internal items of the lighthouse, keepers' cottages and associated structures are largely intact, enabling ready understanding/ interpretation of how the facility has been operated since its establishment and of the keepers' lifestyle, now a defunct way of life. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. Norah Head is representative of the larger NSW late 19th -early 20th century lightstations. The lighthouse, flag store, keepers' quarters and outbuildings remain in a near as-built condition. The place was used by the Darkinjung people as a camp site, burial place and all stages of the rites of passage from childhood to adulthood have occurred there since ancestral times. Documentary evidence indicates that Norah Head Lightstation was designed by Charles Assinder Harding and as such it is an example of the influence of the Barnet lighthouse style. The residences also derive from the Barnet design in the construction and plan form. The lighthouse is representative of the classical style and form that developed from Francis Greenway's South Head Lighthouse (1818) and was used by James Barnet at Sugarloaf Point 1875. == See also ==