The Warden Head Lighthouse has rusted and looks as though it is in need of maintenance. 

Julie Kelly is often at the location watching whales and describe the lighthouse’s condition as "shabby”. 

She wants to see the structure treated for rust and repainted. 

“I would like to see maintenance done on it before it gets worse,” Ms Kelly said. 

“Such a large piece of our heritage and an icon for our area is looking neglected. 

“It obviously needs to be blasted back and treated for rust before a fresh coast of paint is applied. 

“I would like to see something done by the time the whales come past again, which is in November. It is a beautiful structure and it is one of a kind.”

A Department of Industry, Lands and Forestry spokeswoman said maintenance work on the lighthouse was being investigated. 

“The full scope and costs for the work is being investigated,” she said. 

“[This includes] the need for repainting, and repairs to the ventilation system and the landing around the lantern.”

“The department considers maintenance work on lighthouses as the need arises and each one will have its own requirements."

The Warden Head Lighthouse is just one of two wrought iron lighthouses in NSW, the other located at Wollongong. 

Because of the wrought iron structure, the department spokeswoman said the lighthouse needed “corrosion protection work”.

Ms Kelly would also like to see the area surrounding the lighthouse “beautified”.

She said it was “under-utilised” and that chairs and tables should be installed to encourage people to use the area more. 

A post on social media calling for the lighthouse to be repainted attracted 109 comments, many of which supported the idea. 

Lighthouses mean a lot more to Mrs Kelly than a beautiful structure. 

“After I lost my husband 15 years ago, I felt really lost at sea and wondered what was going to happen,” she said.

“I had a vision of a lighthouse and I heard a voice calling me into a safe harbour.

“I lived in Canberra then but moved here five years ago; I have the safe harbour and the lighthouse. 

“I’ve always loved lighthouses and they have always meant security and comfort. 

“I love the shape of them and I have collected them for 15 years. I have over 300 lighthouses in my home.”