184. McHaffie Lagoon

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Westernport Bay Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Environmental Significance in the Flood Plain of the Upper Yarra Valley Region (1983) by Neville Rosengren, Douglas Frood and Kim Lowe (as part of a study of Sites of Environmental Significance by the University of Melbourne for the then Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority).

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website (external link) for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	Somers – 393390. 1 km west of Black Hill.	Cliff-top dunes (foreground) and McHaffie Lagoon, Site 184.
Access:	No public road access is available. The site may be reached by a coastal walk of 2 km from McHaffie Point.
Ownership:	Part Crown land and part private land.
Geomorphology:	This lagoon is the largest of a group of three dune blocked depressions on the Western Passage shoreline of Phillip Island, (the others are Flynn Lagoon and Green Lake). The lake floor is elevated several metres above sea level and lies on a coastal bench or terrace rather than occupying a valley. The catchment is therefore very small and the lake must be fed partly by springs. Its base probably lies on an impervious clay layer of weathered tuff or basalt, and ground water is fed from the enclosing dunes. The dunes are cliff-top dunes that rest on a low plateau surface and are relatively stable.
Significance:	Regional. The lagoon is the least disturbed of the three referred to above. It illustrates an unusual process of coastal lake accumulation where most water is supplied by springs.
Management:	Class 1. The lake and dune system are liable to be degraded by grazing pressure or defoliation of the enclosing dunes. It is recommended that stock be excluded from watering in the lagoon and alternative farm water supplies be arranged if required.

Sites 184 & 185, McHaffie Lagoon and Flynn Lagoon

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