FOSSIL stands for Friends of South Solitary Island Lighthouse and is a group of around 60 dedicated local people who are passionate about the historical significance of the South Solitary Island lighthouse and its associated facilities.

As many Coffs Harbour locals will know, the original lantern and pedestal assembly from the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1975 and moved from the island and installed in the new museum building, when the museum was relocated to the current site the light was left behind in what is now the Table Tennis club hall.

Council recently received a commissioned report from International Conservation Services (ICS) and Story Inc who conducted consultation with stakeholders, including FOSSIL, and developed a management plan.

“The consultants concluded that the optimum position for its long-term location should be adjacent to the harbour within sight of the sea,” said Council Gallery and Museum Curator Ms Jo Besley.

As the future development of the Jetty Foreshores is in the hands of the state government Councillors have agreed to advocate for the inclusion of the South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic (SSILO) in future plans, so it can be put on public display as an attraction for residents and visitors.

The consultants have also estimated that it would cost up to $85,000 to dismantle the optic and reassemble it in a new location.

Members of FOSSIL heard a presentation on the details of the proposal at their meeting on Saturday 31 October and were excited by the prospect of the SSILO being a major element of the foreshore’s development.

FOSSIL member Terrie Beckhouse has been involved with the museum and the SSILO for many years and said, “I fell in love with the lighthouse in 1983 and that led me to work in the museum ever since, I think having the SSILO once again available for people to see in a space near the sea would be a really positive move for the foreshores.”

 

By David TUNE