SOUTH MOLE LIGHTHOUSE

Parent Place or Precinct

03602 Victoria Quay, Fremantle

Statement of Significance

Refer to the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places - Register and Assessment Documentation for 'Victoria Quay'.

Victoria Quay, a landmark industrial urban landscape and townscape,
comprising a wharf structure with berths, transit and work sheds, jetties
and slipways, and associated South Mole and Inner Harbour, has cultural
heritage significance for the following reasons:

the place has national significance as the first landfall and entry
point for tens of thousands of migrants to Australia;
the place is representative of the development pattern of Australian
harbours and has national significance as a mostly intact, industrial
townscape that remains connected to a working port;
the place, valued by special interest groups, the local community
and wider public for its port and river related activities and cultural
facilities, contributes to the identity of Fremantle;
the establishment of the Harbour and associated facilities at
Fremantle led to Fremantle's emergence over Albany as the State's
premier port and facilitated economic growth through improved
trade and communications for industry, commerce and agriculture;
both individually and collectively, the buildings and structures on
Victoria Quay display aesthetic characteristics and form groups of
related buildings within the larger industrial precinct. The
buildings and structures reflect the various phases of Western
Australia's development from the late 1800s;
the innovative wharf structure exhibits a high degree of
engineering accomplishment and technical proficiency;
the place has associations with a number of individuals and groups,
including its designer, C. Y. O'Connor, its construction workforce,
the Public Works Department and the maritime workers who have
been employed at the place. Victoria Quay was the site of the
'Bloody Sunday' battle between police forces and waterside workers
in May 1919;
the place played a major role in Australia's defence operations
during World War Two, with Australian, American, British and
Dutch wartime service groups operating from the Quay. Many
structures from this period remain ;
the place is a major archaeological resource as the development of
Victoria Quay necessitated reclamation works, rapid construction
and subsequent recycling and replacement of buildings as the
operational needs of the port developed;
the place is valued by the general community as the main port, once
the only port, connecting the mainland with Rottnest Island, a
highly patronised and valued holiday destination; and,
the place is a significant element in the wider precincts of the West
End of Fremantle, Fremantle Harbour and the mouth of the Swan
River. Victoria Quay is linked to these areas through visual,
functional and historic associations.

(extracted from the HCWA documentation for the place)

The Lighthouse has historic significance for its associations with the development of the harbour and port of Fremantle. It has aesthetic significance for its landmark qualities. It has rarity value for being one of two identical cast iron lighthouses which were constructed and shipped out to Fremantle in 1903.

Physical Description

Refer to the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places - Register and Assessment Documentation for 'Victoria Quay'.

A circular building of cast iron, approximately 18m in height, made in sections. Sectional construction on concrete base. Entrance to the lighthouse is ornamented by a simple pediment and the door has paneled detailing, reminiscent of domestic style architecture. The windows and window panels are also ornamented with a similar pediment, adding a decorative touch to an otherwise austere building.

History

Refer to the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places - Register and Assessment Documentation for 'Victoria Quay'.

Victoria Quay is a landmark industrial urban landscape and townscape between the Fremantle Harbour and the West End Conservation Area comprising a wharf structure with berths, transit and work sheds, jetties and slipways, and associated South Mole and Inner Harbour. The place has national significance as the first landfall and entry point for tens of thousands of migrants to Australia. It is rare as a mostly intact surviving late 19th century port, linked to a similarly intact 19th century West End Conservation Area, which together represent heritage of an international gold exploitation venture.


One of two cast iron lighthouses which were constructed and shipped out to Fremantle in 1903. Due to the confusion caused by an additional occulting white lighthouse to Woodman's Point light, it was decided that the South Mole lighthouse would emit a fixed green light. Historical accounts state that the second lighthouse was handed over to the government for installation at Gantheaume Point, Broome. However, the lighthouse erected on the North Mole is identical to that installed on the South Mole, suggesting that the second lighthouse was finally erected in its originally intended location.

This place was included in the "North Fremantle Heritage Study", prepared by Craig Burton, for the City of Fremantle, June 1994.

Integrity/Authenticity

Substantially intact.

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.