Diamond Tree Fire Lookout Tower

Author

Shire of Manjimup

Place Number

16020

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Location

South Western Hwy Diamond Tree

Location Details

Nelson Loc 14815

Local Government

Manjimup

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1940

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	08 Dec 2016

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
RHP - To be assessed	Current	24 Apr 2002

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	28 Aug 2008	Category A	Category A Worthy of the highest level of protection: recommended for entry into the State Register of Heritage Places which gives legal protection; provide maximum encouragement to the owner under the Shire of Manjimup Town Planning Scheme to conserve the significance of the place; development requires consultation with the local authority and the Regional Heritage Advisor; a more detailed Heritage Assessment/Impact Statement to be undertaken before approval given for any development. Incentives to promote conservation should be considered.

Statement of Significance

Historic, Rarity, Scientific, Social and Representativeness

Physical Description

• Tall, straight Karri tree;
• 54.5 m high;
• Lower branches cleared for access;
• Series of pegs and rungs form spiral ladder;
• Safety mesh follows path of ladder;
• Ladder leads to timber cabin at top of tree;
• Timber platform with access steps at base of tree, and;
• Nearby timber cabin, for interpretive material.

History

The South West karri forest region posed a special problem. There were
few prominent hills and forest giants towering 70 -80m above the ground.
A young forester, Don Stewart, (later to become Conservator of Forests),
who in 1937 conceived the idea of using the trees themselves as Look
Out Towers. One of these is the Diamond Tree, located 11 km south of
Manjimup, 300m off SW Highway. The lookout was built in 1940-41,
and a tree cabin was built at a height of 54.5m.
The Diamond Tree was used continuously as a fire lookout until spotter
planes took over the surveillance role in 1974. Between 1991-94 the
Diamond Tree cabin was refurbished. Since then unsuitable weather
conditions have sometimes grounded the planes, and the Diamond Tree
has been used as a back up. The Diamond Tree is a popular tourist
attraction.
Refer to 16.6 for more historical notes

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Good
Authenticity: Good

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	DEC Brochure: "The Hamlet Tower, a fire lookout, Manjimup Timber Park.".	Department of Environment and Conservation

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
5802	Lookouts of the Karri Country.	Report	1993

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	FORESTRY	Other
Present Use	FORESTRY	Other

Historic Themes

General	Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Telecommunications
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Environmental awareness

Creation Date

13 Feb 2002

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

29 Apr 2021

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.