The 144-year-old lighthouse will be repainted, car parking will be expanded, the area will be landscaped and suicide prevention barriers will be put in place. 

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock, who secured the grant, said it was a “win for the community, particularly the Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network and the Ulladulla Lighthouse Project Group”.

She said the funding would ensure the lighthouse’s longevity, aesthetic appeal and the overall visual appeal of the iconic spot. 

“I am committed to ensuring our important local historic and community assets, such as the Warden Head Lighthouse, remain safe, accessible and something the community can be proud of,” Mrs Hancock said. 

“[We want] to promote the iconic lighthouse as a tourist attraction and draw visitors to Ulladulla.

“From the headland, it’s possible to take a number of nature walks, whale watch and view the coast – not to mention the lighthouse makes for a fantastic holiday photo.”

Crown Lands will oversee the work, which is expected to be completed in the 2017/18 financial year.

The funding announcement follows calls by concerned residents on social media to have the lighthouse repainted. 

“I would like to see maintenance done on it before it gets worse,” lighthouse lover Julie Kelly said to The Times in June.

“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 coat of paint is applied.”

Mrs Hancock said the improvements were aimed at increasing public safety.

The works will include a car park, bringing greater public visibility, landscaping, vehicular barriers around the lighthouse, suicide awareness barriers and a low maintenance fence.

“All of these improvements are aimed at increasing public safety and have proven successful when implemented elsewhere.”

The improvements are in addition to a new shared pathway on Deering Street providing access to the lighthouse precinct. Warden Head is one of two wrought iron lighthouses in NSW, the other being in Wollongong.