SYDNEY HARBOUR NAVIGATION AIDS, NSW
In 2007, Sydney Port Corporation awarded Marine & Civil Maintenance a contract to plan and carry out maintenance work on the shore-based Navigational Aid assets spread around Sydney Harbour to the east of the Harbour Bridge.
The structures, which consist of a mixture of lighthouses and beacons, included Grotto Point Light in Balgowlah Heights, Rosherville Light and Bradleys Head Lighthouse in Mosman, Robertson’s Point Lighthouse in Cremorne Point and Hornby Lighthouse at Watsons Bay.
The buildings are old but well preserved and are functional but beautiful parts of Sydney's heritage. All are in scenic locations. The current maintenance work included: minor concrete repairs, window sealant replacement, timber door replacement, timber deck replacement, improvement of ground drainage, replacement of timber fence palings, injection of liquid damp proofing, lead paint removal, painting and window glazing replacement.
The disparate locations of the work sites was a major challenge, especially at Grotto Point and Hornby Lighthouse. The only land access to Grotto Point was by a long and steep walking track through a national park, and all equipment and materials had to be carried in and out. The Hornby Lighthouse is located on public land but road access was through the Watsons Bay Naval base, which required security clearance at the start and end of each work day.
A small team of tradesmen and subcontractors worked progressively on the structures over five months in 2007 and 2008, ensuring that the repairs and maintenance met all the heritage requirements as well as preserving the local environments.