W1 Skeleton Creek, Altona - Consequent Stream

This information has been developed from the publications:

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 Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Shire of Otway (1984) by Neville Rosengren.

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	Werribee - 995053. Former Shire of Werribee. Valley of Skeleton Creek below the Princes Freeway bridge.
Access	Hacketts Road, Princes Freeway
Ownership	Crown land and private land
Site Description	Skeleton Creek is a consequent stream crossing the Werribee lava plain. The valley course is determined by drainage developed around the margins of lava flows and the stream channel is only weakly incised. The stream gradient is low and the channel is infilled by swampy alluvium.
Significance	Regional. The valley is the best preserved example of a consequent stream developed on lava flows in the study area. It forms an interesting contrast with the more strongly incised Kororoit Creek valley.
Management	Class 2. Filling, artificial drainage, reclamation of alluvial or swampy sectors would degrade the interest of the site. The slope of the banks and channel need to be retained in their present configuration to retain site significance.

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