PLANS to open up the historic lighthouse area at Port MacDonnell to unprecedented residential development is progressing with Grant District Council now seeking community consultation on the blueprint.
The newly released development assessment amendment report (DPA) aims to address the future options of the privately-owned land surrounding the iconic Cape Northumberland Lighthouse.
The plan proposes to rezone part of the land to create six large residential allotments and a public service road to service the residential blocks and the lighthouse.
This area – which was removed from the Port MacDonnell DPA following community feedback – is proposed to be rezoned from coastal open space to residential.
“The DPA is proposing to change the council’s development plan by rezoning part of the Cape Northumberland Lighthouse site adjacent to the lighthouse and cottages from a coastal open space zone to a residential one, with a specific Lighthouse Road Policy Area overlaying this part of the zone,” council environmental services director Leith McEvoy said.
“The DPA will facilitate and allow for public access to the lighthouse, which is listed as a place of state heritage significance, and which would increasingly become a tourist attraction in the district.”
He said the DPA allowed for a small number of single storey or split level detached dwellings on larger allotments, with allotments having an area of greater than 3000 square metres.
“The allotments are to be developed in a manner which is extremely sympathetic to the natural features in this significant location – the policy area is seeking to create a unique boutique living environment on this site,” Mr McEvoy said.
“Council is now seeking public submissions on this DPA, particularly from the local community – the submissions will assist the council in further considering the DPA.”
According to the report, the specific areas to be addressed in the DPA include tourism opportunities, access and parking, native vegetation, as well as design guidelines for future development.
The report also highlights a number of constraints that include native vegetation clearance, height restrictions to protect lighthouse visibility and the need to maintain panoramic views from the lighthouse in all directions.
The impact of light from the lighthouse on future residents is another issue raised in the report.
While the surrounding land was previously owned by the Commonwealth, it was rationalised and surplus land was sold at public auction in 1983.
The lighthouse is heritage listed and is nestled in a prominent position on a separate land-locked allotment of 5632 square metres.
The subject land surrounding the landmark structure contains two remaining lighthouse cottages and the cleared area of the third cottage that has been removed.
Within the subject land, there is also a private grave located in the north-west corner.
The remainder of the land is vacant with a covering of native vegetation on an an area of 12.12ha.
The area is steeped in history with the original MacDonnell Lighthouse built in 1858 and beginning operation in early 1859.
The new Cape Northumberland Lighthouse was built in 1882 on a hill 400m to the east of the original lighthouse that was demolished.
In March 1936, the lighthouse power was converted from kerosene to electricity and in 1972 the electric light operation was converted to tungsten halogen.
In 1977, the light was converted to automatic and in 1990 the lighthouse was de-manned.
A community meeting will be held at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex on Tuesday, November 14, at 5.30pm, if warranted.
Council has foreshadowed the blueprint – which can be viewed at council offices or online on its website – should be finalised by December.
Submissions should be addressed to the Grant District Council chief executive officer at PO Box 724, Mount Gambier, 5290.
Submissions close Thursday, November 9.
