Ownership of the site will be transferred from the port corporation to the Land Property Management Authority, which will spend the next two months assessing the safety risks on site and developing a strategy to open it as quickly as possible. Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay has made the announcement at the gates to Nobbys headland this afternoon.

“I have always believed the community should have access to the site and be able to fully appreciate its rich history and of course the extraordinary views Nobbys offers over Newcastle,” she said.

“The community has made it very clear that they want to be able to walk around Nobbys and experience the history of site, not just view it from afar.

“I acknowledge the significance of Newcastle Port Corporation’s decision today and local Restaurateur Neil Slater’s long battle to open the site as accommodation and a restaurant but it’s now time to move on and give Nobbys a new beginning.”

Mr Slater’s plans to open the site were quashed by Federal Environment and Heritage Minister Peter Garrett in 2008.

He said at the time he was concerned about the impact it would have on the heritage values of the lighthouse.

NSW Minister for Ports and Waterways Paul McLeay said the lighthouse would still be owned and operated by Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Port Corporation will continue to have access to the signal station.