source : the age
The Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve looks over one of the most treacherous and spectacular stretches of Victorian coastline, where Bass Strait meets the Port Phillip Heads.
Locals love the reserve for its dramatic views, access to rock pools and its maritime and military heritage. But the area is falling into disrepair despite its potential to become a valued community and tourism asset.
The remaining concrete bunkers and former dormitories known as the P1 huts are markers of the reserve’s military history and recall fears of foreign invasion during the world wars.
Some of the concrete military structures are crumbling and covered in graffiti, their floors strewn with alcohol containers and charred remnants of campfires. The interiors of the huts are dilapidated and unused despite numerous false starts by a council to rejuvenate the area.
In 2023, the state government allocated $1 million to the Borough of Queenscliffe to update the site, and five years before that, the council received $500,000 from the state to be used for the huts.
But little has been done by way of upgrades, and Point Lonsdale residents are frustrated with how long it is taking to restore the structures and huts amid rising construction costs. Among those bemoaning the slow progress is heritage advocate Andrew Sutherland, who said the site could be put to myriad uses but was crumbling due to neglect.
“It’s sad and avoidable,” Sutherland said.
The public toilet block has been without a roof for about three years after wild weather ripped it off.
“It’s the most spectacular parcel of land and sea you’ll ever find in Victoria,” Sutherland said. “It’s got enormous potential.”
Last week, Borough of Queenscliffe councillors voted to move ahead with an expression of interest scope proposal to “activate” the P1 huts at the lighthouse reserve. The council agenda said the expression of interest would attract proposals that protected the huts’ heritage. The scope would allow for workshops, arts residences and marine or coastal education.
It said small-scale “wellness”, hospitality or accommodation might be considered. But the council has ruled out any proposal that would require its funding.
Sutherland said that after World War II, the P1 huts hosted school camps, and tourists flocked to the reserve for its natural beauty and rich history.
He wants to see the area put to a similar use to the Ceres urban farm in Brunswick, while some of the buildings could be used as a history centre or cafe.
“No one is telling the heritage story here,” Sutherland said. “We’d love to see more of that story being told.”
Sutherland said the graffiti and vandalism left a terrible impression when he walked past.
“I feel depressed and angry.”
He said the defacement of the military structures was indicative of the overall lack of care and respect for the place.
“It’s dilapidated and incredibly rundown.”
Although grateful for state government funding, Sutherland said it was unfortunate the council lacked the technical resources and funding to properly manage the area, which is on Crown land.
“Is it the role of the smallest council in Victoria to look after all of this? It’s nationally important heritage,” he said.
The Borough of Queenscliffe took over managing the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve in 2012. In 2014, Sutherland was among Point Lonsdale residents who came together to defeat plans for a $12.5 million hotel and thermal spa, which had proposed drilling 500 metres down to tap groundwater.
A Borough of Queenscliffe spokesperson said the council received $500,000 from the former Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions in 2018 for stage 1 works that included demolishing unused and unsafe buildings. A variation to the grant removed the requirement for demolition of the huts but included other work such as removing asbestos and replacing roofs.
The spokesperson said while the reserve was significant for its marine, defence and cultural heritage, the council didn’t have any specialists to complete the required works and had to source them externally.
“Many of the structures in the area are degrading due to age, weather and the harsh coastal location,” the spokesperson said. “There is no maintenance programs as there is no functional service to maintain.”
The Victorian Heritage Database’s statement of significance said the lighthouse precinct was of architectural, historical and archaeological significance to the state.
But Queenscliff Community Association president David Connoley said the huts were vulnerable to vandalism because the council had failed to put them to use. He said the council had spent money on consultants and faced cost blowouts and rising construction costs because it had taken so long to act.
“The funding has been frittered away,” Connoley said.
Labor MP Alison Marchant, whose electorate includes the reserve, said the area’s maritime history, natural beauty and community identity meant it was among the most historically significant sites in the region.
She urged the Borough of Queenscliffe to develop a clear vision and comprehensive masterplan.
“With thoughtful planning and genuine community engagement, this site can have a blueprint that protects its heritage, enhances public access and ensures it remains a treasured place for generations to come,” Marchant said.
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Benjamin Preiss is The Age’s regional editor. He was previously state rounds reporter and has also covered education for The Age.Connect via X or email.
