It is part of the popular coastal walk, but few would recognise the significance of Port Macquarie's Flagstaff Hill to our maritime history.
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The site will undergo important heritage and environmental maintenance work in the coming weeks.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council says the work will ensure the local history of the area is retained and can continue to be celebrated.
To maintain the heritage context of the site and to improve sight lines from all directions, environmental works will be conducted including the removal of Banksia trees on the western side of the viewing platform.
Interpretive and directional signage will also be installed to improve accessibility, and showcase the historical significance of Flagstaff Hill.
Council director Melissa Watkins said Flagstaff Hill was an important heritage icon that is visited by thousands of locals and visitors each year.
“Council is committed to protecting the locations and buildings that form an important part of our region’s history and heritage,” Ms Watkins said.
“The project forms part of our region’s bicentenary celebrations, with a number of similar initiatives and community projects promoting our rich local heritage to occur in the coming years,” Ms Watkins said.
Signage installation and the environmental work will take place in the coming weeks.
Mid North Coast Maritime Museum's Ted Kasehagen says the flagstaff is steeped in maritime history.
"A flagstaff was one of the first installations when the 48th Regiment of Foot arrived under the command of Captain Allman in 1821,” he said.
"Cpt Allman's orders included the establishment of a signalling station adjacent to the new settlement due to the known dangerous bar across the entry to the Hastings River.
Cpt Allman's orders included the establishment of a signalling station adjacent to the new settlement due to the known dangerous bar across the entry to the Hastings River.
- Ted Kasehagen
"The first signal station was established on Windmill Hill in Captain Gillman's tower and flags and lights were used to signal the condition of the bar to the fort on Gaol Point and to passing ships at sea.
"A beacon fire burned constantly through the night," Mr Kasehagen said.
With the construction of the Boat Harbour - completed in 1829 - it is believed the signal station was moved to its present location on the high ground and renamed Flagstaff Hill.
A flag locker, a small single gabled roof building surrounded by a picket fence was erected to store the telescope and signal flags, possibly charts as well. It was still in use in 1956.
The flagstaff was upgraded in 1993 and Flagstaff Hill was further enhanced as a tourist viewing platform in 1994.
The current stairs to the summit were built by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in 2006.
As part of the 1994 dedication service for the current flagpole - from the Navy training base HMAS Nirimba - a number of cannonballs were fired as part of the celebration.
But in 1851 the firing of cannonballs caused a bit of a stir, according to a report in the Port Macquarie News of October 10, 1994.
"In 1851, the year the Wanderer was wrecked not far from Flagstaff Hill, a festival was held on the Town Green to mark New Year's eve.
“The cannon from the Wanderer was used to fire off some cannonballs to celebrate New Year.
“One of the cannonballs was found in Granite Street and another one landed at a Mr Young's place at Hamilton (now Hibbard).
“A very irate Mr Young immediately rode into town on his horse to see who was responsible for such an act, believing he was under attack."