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29. Bunyip - Main Drain and Old Bunyip Channel

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:Tonimbuk - 882810. One kilometre south of Bunyip.

Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Abandoned large amplitide manner of Bunyip prior stream.

Access:

Main Drain Road South Side.

Ownership:

Private land.

Geomorphology:

The main drain here intersects a channel of the old course of the Bunyip River. although overgrown, the walls of the drain provide a section of flood plain sediments and these may be compared with the sediments that fill the old river channel. An abandoned meander of the river has a much greater amplitude than most other meanders of the same stream and may represent a prior or very early channel pattern of the Bunyip River.

Significance:

Regional. The site allows for an examination of the stratigraphy of the flood plain and channel sediments of the Bunyip River.

Management:

Class 2. Artificial lining of the channel wall should not be permitted here, as this would obscure the significant geological section. Filling or reclamation of the large abandoned meander should not be permitted.
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