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206. Fairhaven - Dune Lake

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 - 501542. 4 km north of Tankerton.
Image: Sites of Significance Westernport Bay
Dune lake at Fairhaven. Dotted line
shows catchment, Site 206.

Access:
By private vehicle track east of the Coast Road.

Ownership:
Private land.

Geology/Geomorphology:
This site represents a particularly well preserved dune lake. Inter-dune areas in the Aeolian sands of the north-west of French Island are typically swampy where drainage is impeded by topography or impervious horizons close to the surface. Bore records indicate that the aeolian sands were deposited over gently sloping fault apron sediments which are at shallow depths below inter-dune swales. This has resulted in the development of ‘perched’ lagoons or isolated areas of restricted drainage. A large number of shallower and larger inter-dune swales of this area of French Island have been drained and used as grazing land.

Significance:
Regional. The site represents a classic geomorphic feature which is not preserved on similar areas of Cranbourne Sand topography on the mainland. The site is the only inter-dune lagoon on French Island which is surrounded by well preserved dune ridges.
Management:
Class 1. To preserve the morphology of the site it is essential that no artificial drainage of the lake be permitted. Extensive withdrawal of water should not be permitted, agricultural or other wastes should not be directed to the area and no more than minimal disturbance should be permitted in the catchment area. The depth of water retained in the lake at the end of a long dry period indicates that the lagoon is supplemented by ground waters or seepage from adjacent areas of impeded drainage. The area of liquid waste disposal prohibition should include the groundwater catchment as well as the topographic catchment of the lake.

205. Tankerton to River Point
Sites 204 to 207, North of Tankerton
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