Landmark to shine again

The Bunbury Lighthouse is undergoing a restoration, with paint and rust repair works under way at the site.

Southern Ports Bunbury regional manager Lee Smith said a structural assessment on the lighthouse had found that repair work needed to be completed.

“Given the conditions that it resides in, there was some rust that needed to be sandblasted and the paint work had not been touched in a number of years,” he said.

“It’s in the best interest of our organisation and also the community that we look at doing some works to it to brighten the appearance but also to improve the structural integrity of it.

“We had some public comment in regards to the paint work on the lighthouse and we felt it was important to follow that advice.”

Work began two weeks ago and is expected to continue for another two or three weeks.

External works are being completed on ropes for the first time and the lighthouse is being hand painted.

“The reason they’re working on ropes is the proximity to local residents,” Mr Smith said.

“We did not want to embark on a full scaffolding and spray painting arrangement because we potentially could have over sprayed and damaged houses.”

The lighthouse was built in 1970, but there has been a lighthouse in Bunbury since 1901.

“There aren’t many lighthouses around that are in such good condition and this one has had a lot of genesis over the years,” he said.

“There’s a lot of history about Bunbury being a port, it’s got a lighthouse, and it will continue to be a port.

“It’s a typical part of what Bunbury is about.”