79. Bungower Point - Multiple Spit

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:	Devon Meadows – 473656. Five hundred metres north of the Yaringa boat harbour.	Relict curved spits (arrowed) at Bungower Point, Site 79
Access:	Bungower Road.
Ownership:	Crown Land.
Geology/Geomorphology:	Bungower Point is a relict multiple recurved sand spit that lies inland of a broad salt marsh and mangrove zone on the western side of Watsons Inlet. Two major episodes of recurving are present, represented by a series of low, gently curving sand ridges that enclose salt marsh deposits. The spit is now isolated from wave action by stabilising mangrove fringe.
Significance:	State. The spit indicates a major change in wave environments inside Westernport Bay or else a higher Holocene sea level. The spit obviously grew before the development of the mangrove and salt marsh fringe and the onset of a phase of muddy rather then sandy sedimentation. The site is therefore of major interest in the study of sea level history and sedimentation processes in Westernport Bay and on the Victorian coast in general.
Management:	Class 1. No further clearing, roadworks, rubbish dumping, coastal facilities or buildings of any kind should be permitted on the area of the site.

Site 79, Bungower Point

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