Point Lonsdale Road Fortifications
Point Lonsdale Road QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFFE BOROUGH
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Statement of Significance
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Point Lonsdale Road Fortifications - Physical Description 1
Reinforced concrete spotlight emplacements and viewing towers, mostly in ruinous condition
A series of reinforced concrete emplacements were installed around the lighthouse tower, probably in the late 1930s or early 1940s. Inside each was a swivel mounting, it is believed for carrying searchlights and providing protection for searchlight crews should shipping attack them. Each has two rooms: a reinforced concrete swivel emplacement and a windowless room behind. Entry is through a set of steps that descend into each shelter. The first is placed at the head of the beach, being partly built into the cliffs. The second is immediately below the lighthouse, near Buckley's Cave. The third is on the main dune rise to the west of the main lighthouse tower. These may have had a fire control role as well as being sheltered emplacements for searchlights.
Each emplacement is partly set into the sand, two facing south toward Bass Strait and one facing east toward The Rip. The front chamber has an open space for traversing a light or weapon; this is sheltered by a reinforced concrete slab cantilevered over the working space immediately below it. All three have reinforced concrete side walls, mostly c. 30 cm thick. The flooring appears to be reinforced concrete also. Two at least have reinforced concrete stems inside to support the lights or armament that was intended. An enclosed space immediately behind could have served as a work room, rest space, shelter or plotting room. Entry from outside is down a short flight of concrete stairs, rather in the manner of contemporary air-raid shelter design. They are weakening with time, and the central south emplacement is off limits as the structure is considered unsafe.Point Lonsdale Road Fortifications - Historical Australian Themes
Phase of Development: INTERWAR
Point Lonsdale Road Fortifications - Intactness
POOR
Veterans Description for Public
Point Lonsdale Road Fortifications - Veterans Description for Public
In 1865 the area now known as Point Lonsdale was designated a Battery Reserve and was essentially undeveloped land other than around the lighthouse area. At that stage the area boasted a timber lighthouse that had previously been the leading light at Queenscliff, a telegraph station, flagstaff and array of other assorted buildings including a powder magazine. These buildings have now all been demolished and in most cases replaced with new buildings including the concrete lighthouse built in 1901-02 and the pier built in 1889-90.
A series of reinforced concrete emplacements were installed around the lighthouse tower, probably in the late 1930s or early 1940s. Inside each was a swivel mounting, it is believed for carrying searchlights and providing protection for searchlight crews should shipping attack them. Each has two rooms: a reinforced concrete swivel emplacement and a windowless room behind. Entry is through a set of steps that descend into each shelter. The first is placed at the head of the beach, being partly built into the cliffs. The second is immediately below the lighthouse, near Buckley's Cave. The third is on the main dune rise to the west of the main lighthouse tower. These may have had a fire control role as well as being sheltered emplacements for searchlights.
Each emplacement is partly set into the sand, two facing south toward Bass Strait and one facing east toward The Rip. The front chamber has an open space for traversing a light or weapon; this is sheltered by a reinforced concrete slab cantilevered over the working space immediately below it. All three have reinforced concrete side walls, mostly 30 cm thick. The flooring appears to be reinforced concrete also. Two at least have reinforced concrete stems inside to support the lights or armament that was intended. An enclosed space immediately behind could have served as a work room, rest space, shelter or plotting room. Entry from outside is down a short flight of concrete stairs, rather in the manner of contemporary air-raid shelter design. They are weakening with time, and the central south emplacement is off limits as the structure is considered unsafe.
Heritage Study and Grading
Queenscliffe - Queenscliffe Urban Conservation Study
Author: Allom Lovell & Associates P/L, Architects
Year: 1982
Grading:Queenscliffe - Queenscliffe Heritage Study
Author: Lovell Chen
Year: 2009
Grading:
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Queenscliff CemeteryQueenscliffe Borough
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85 Bellarine Highway, Point LonsdaleQueenscliffe Borough
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Queenscliff Powder StoreVic. War Heritage Inventory
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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