THE community campaign to restore Crookhaven lighthouse to its former glory received $100,000 on Friday.
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Minister for Lands Tony Kelly made a visit to the lighthouse on Friday to personally announce the funding allocation from the Public Reserves Management Fund.
“I have asked the Land and Property Management Authority to work with Shoalhaven City Council, local community groups and the Department of Corrective Services to start the restoration work as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr Kelly said a scoping study to more accurately determine the extent of work required was the next step.
That study will begin by the middle of July with restoration work to start by the end of August.
He said while the lighthouse was on council’s local heritage register, it may qualify for state heritage listing.
“As soon as I became aware of this issue, I asked the NSW Heritage Office to commence an urgent investigation.
“That lighthouse has stood for about 100 years, I want to see restored and here for at least another hundred,” he said.
Acting Shoalhaven Mayor Gareth Ward welcomed the funding.
“I believe this funding will help to bring a new lease of life to an historic reminder that the Shoalhaven was a thriving city where ships would ply produce and timber up and down the coast.
“The city provided produce to Sydney and the Shoalhaven River was a significant access point to goods to be taken to Sydney.”
Shoalhaven City Council general manager Russ Pigg said council was pleased the minister announced the funding.
“It’s been an objective for council and community for some time. We were very pleased a few years ago when the minister funded Ulladulla lighthouse, we were making application for funding then.
“It’s good that this has come through,” Mr Pigg said.