The Lady Denman Maritime Museum could be the solution to the historic light’s restoration.

The recent disbandment of the lighthouse steering committee due to funding and jurisdiction problems left the historic structure’s future in a state of limbo.

The top half of the lighthouse, the mantle, is in storage at the South Coast Correctional Centre while the remainder of the building remains largely untouched on the Crookhaven headland.

President of the Lady Denman Maritime Museum John Fergusson is an avid supporter of the project and is keen to see the lighthouse restored and remain on the headland.

However he thinks there is merit in the idea of the region’s maritime museum being considered as a location.

“That mantle from the lighthouse was originally from Cape St George and when that lighthouse was decommissioned they saved the mantle and it became used on Crookhaven,” he said. 

Mr Fergusson said the project could fit into Lady Denman’s brief to support Jervis Bay’s maritime heritage.

“Its historical connection to the Cape St George lighthouse in the 1840s is of enormous significance.

“Then its subsequent use as a beacon in Shoalhaven and Crookhaven rivers in navigable commerce for over half a century is enormously important to the history of Shoalhaven in general.

“In the event the lighthouse was not installed back on the headland, which is my preferred position, I believe subject to the curator and the Lady Denman board supporting it, the museum would welcome the opportunity to have it relocated to this site.

“The mantle is in safe keeping at the South Coast Correctional Centre.

“However this is too valuable an asset to be neglected,” he said.