Why the Clock Tower lanterns were retired |15 June 2026

Why the Clock Tower lanterns were retired

In response to questions raised by members of the public regarding the lanterns that once adorned the Clock Tower, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Amanda Bernstein, has explained that there were three main reasons why the lanterns were not reinstated during the restoration.

1. They were not part of the original design.

The lanterns do not appear in any of the Clock Tower’s original plans or historical records. It is believed they were added at some point because Victoria lacked sufficient street lighting, and the lanterns helped illuminate the clock face. While a practical solution at the time, they were always an addition rather than a feature.

2. They were causing structural damage.

As the lanterns were never intended to be part of the structure, they were attached using clamps, which over time caused damage at the fixing points. The Clock Tower’s original manufacturers, Gillett & Johnston, advised against reattaching any adornments that would place unnecessary strain on the structure. They also noted that the lanterns cast shadows across the clock faces, counteracting the very purpose of the dials, which are now fitted with bright, unobstructed illumination.

3. They could not survive the restoration process.

The lanterns were made from a material significantly more fragile than the clock tower itself and would not have withstood the paint-stripping and restoration works carried out on the main structure. Rather than being lost, however, they have been preserved and will be displayed at the National Museum, where they will form part of the story of this historic landmark.

The minister acknowledged that some members of the public may miss the silhouette the lanterns once gave the tower. However, it is hoped that people would now come to appreciate the Clock Tower in its original form – clean, dignified, and restored to its finest state.