Richmond River Light, also known as Ballina Head Light and Ballina Light, is an active lighthouse located at Ballina Head, a headlandinBallina, New South Wales, Australia. The headland is at the northern side of the entrance to the Richmond River. It used to serve to guide ships into the river port and is used also serves as a leading light into the river, together with a steamer's masthead lantern with a 200 mm lens which is raised on a wooden structure 30 metres (98 ft) from it.[7]
The nearby beach, Lighthouse Beach, one of Ballina's main beaches, is named for it.[8]
The station was established with a temporary light that was installed in 1866 from plans by James Barnet, at the same time of the installation of the Clarence River Light.[9][7]
The apparatus was a fixed light 4th order catadioptric apparatus of less than 1000 cd and was visible for 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi).[10] It was powered by colza oil.[9] As the light was operated in conjunction with a nearby pilot station, only one light keeper was required.[7]
Demolition of the porch and annexe, November 1940
In 1920 the light was converted to acetylene gas and automated. [9] In November 1940, the annexe and the porch connected to the lighthouse were demolished.[11]
The tower is very similar in design to the other four lighthouses.[7] It is circular, 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter (internally), with walls tapering from 19 inches (480 mm) at the bottom to 14 inches (360 mm) at the top.[7] The tower is constructed of stone,[5] and cement rendered, and painted white.[7] On top of the tower there is an oversailing bluestone platform, supported at by twelve bluestone corbels, at about 12 feet (3.7 m) above the ground. The platform can be reached by an iron stair inside the tower. Around the perimeter of the platform is a metal handrail. The platform is topped by the simple metal dome which houses the optical apparatus.[7]
Originally the lighthouse had a porch, rectangular annexe for the duty room and oil store. These were all demolished in November 1940.[11] A one-story keeper's house is still present at the premises.[13]
A sign near the entry of the lighthouse regarding historical significance including entry on the Register of the National Estate.
Richmond River Lighthouse is listed on the Register of National Estate held by the Australian Heritage Commission (Commonwealth Government) in 1983; this listing is defunct as this list was closed in 2007.[14] However, it is also listed under the North Coast Regional Environmental Plan 1988 and the Ballina Local Environmental Plan 1987.[15]
Inforrnamtion about the lighthouse on interpretive signage around Shaws Bay, East Ballina. This is a part of the sign series "Historic Ballina Waterfront".
^ abThough RNE208 says the demolition occurred when the light was converted to electricity, which Lighthouses of Australia Inc puts in the 1960s, Demolition has a picture of the demolition itself, taking place in November 1940
Searle, Garry. "Ballina Head". Lighthouses of New South Wales. SeaSide Lights.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)[dead link] Seems to be based on the same source of RNE208, except for some discrepancies.
Media related to Ballina Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons
