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203. Scrub Point - Ferruginous Sandstone

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:Barrallier - 507610. The extreme north-western corner of the island at Scrub Point, near the inner margin of the salt marsh.
Image: Sites of Significance Westernport Bay
Ferruginous sandstone outcrop at Scrub Point

(A), Site 203. Note the thinning of the
mangroves and accumulation of beaches
and cheniers (arrowed).

Access:

From the north termination of the Coast Road, access to the north-west of Scrub Point is via a sandy track across private property.

Ownership:

Crown land - Coastal Reserve

Geology/Geomorphology:

View Rock is a large boulder-like accumulation of ferruginous sandstone, honeycombed in part, and approximately 10 m in elevation. It is surrounded by salt marsh deposits, small lagoons and a degenerate mangrove fringe.

Significance:

Regional. The outcrop is the only ferruginous sandstone which may be readily observed above high tide level. Other ferruginous outcrops indicated on the geological sheet occur at inter-tidal levels and are not as accessible for study, due to their tidal submergence.

Management:

Class 1. The ferruginous sandstones outcropping on the coast have been used to provide construction material for buildings on French Island. To preserve the extent of the outcrops it is recommended that no further extraction of stone be permitted from the site.

202. North Coast of French Island
Sites 202 & 203. North coast of French Island and Scrub Point
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