A proposal to place the Centenary of Anzac logo on Kiama Lighthouse has been approved by the NSW government, but now awaits final approval from the federal Department of Veterans' Affairs.
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Last month, plans to place the 1.5-metre high, two-metre wide vinyl logo on the Kiama Lighthouse were endorsed by Kiama councillors, however, the Crown Lands department and Natural Resources, Lands and Water Minister Kevin Humphries needed to approve the use of the lighthouse.
A spokesman for Mr Humphries said the NSW government had now endorsed Kiama council's proposal, which was now with the Department of Veterans' Affairs for final approval.
However, a spokesman for the Department of Veterans' Affairs said it had not received any of the required documentation from Crown Lands NSW advising that permission had been granted for the lighthouse to be altered.
"Should this documentation be provided, the department will assess the application for use of the Anzac Centenary Logo," the spokesman said.
Kiama councillor Dennis Seage, who is also secretary of the Kiama Jamberoo RSL sub-branch, said he expected approval to use the logo would not be a problem and permission to use the lighthouse was the major sticking point.
In December and January, "a visual impact analysis" of the proposed logo was exhibited by Kiama council, which received 227 individual submissions and a 187-signature petition in support of the proposal, with 16 submissions against.
The Lighthouses of Australia organisation expressed concern that using the logo on the Kiama Lighthouse could set a "dangerous precedent" for more than 360 lighthouses across Australia, while the Boating and Operations branch of the RMS said the proposed length of time for the logo to be on the lighthouse - four years - would affect the ability of other community groups to use the lighthouse for projection displays.
Cr Seage said the minister's approval was not for the four-year period as initially requested by the sub-branch.
The use of the lighthouse has been approved for two years, with a review due before approval for an additional two years is granted.
Cr Seage said he felt vindicated by the minister's decision after a two-year campaign to have the logo placed on the lighthouse.
"I can't believe it took two years to appease the bureaucratic process," Cr Seage said.
aarnold@fairfaxmedia.com.au
