Lighthouses of Australia Inc

Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse After A Previous Renovation Image: Brian Lord

Call To Rescue Crookhaven Lighthouse

by Garry Searle

Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse is one of the most endangered towers in Australia. Looking at it you might even think it was beyond help. The lantern room windows are all gone, and the roof of the lantern rusted and part-missing. Vandals have placed logs and timber at a lower window for access. They have even painted a arrow with "enter here" on the wall. Maritime Services have given up on the tower, placing a small light on an aluminium post nearby.

Little is known of the history of this lighthouse, it was automated many years ago, and without human presence at the site, vandals gradually damaged the tower. It was renovated, but again it has fallen into ruin. The problem is that the tower is on a headland, some distance from the nearest houses and bushes hide any acts of vandalism. Without an effective means of securing the tower, no one would suggest spending money on repairs.

Shoalhaven Heads Council is once again considering options for the site, with the aim of turning the headland and lighthouse into a major drawcard. 

At a recent meeting, it was suggested that Council seek approval to clear the headland to return it to the way it was when the lighthouse was manned. This would be the first step in securing the site.

Council have also written to the Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock asking her to spearhead a campaign to have the lighthouse restored.

Source:

• South Coast Register - David Wheeldon 23/05/2008  (PDF)

See Also:

• Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse
• Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse 

January 2005. Still an active light but out of order as vandels had thrown the batteries out of the lantern room Image: Garry Searle	July 2007. Now abandoned and deteriorating quickly Image: Garry Searle
The lighthouse in July 2007 Image: Garry Searle	New light put in place sometime in 2006 Image: Garry Searle