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28 Clifton Springs - Limestone Reef

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 for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location863743. 400 m east of “The Dell” picnic area, Clifton Springs. The site occupies the intertidal zone west of the derelict baths at Clifton Springs.
Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
 Site 28, Dipping limestone reef at Clifton Springs

Access
Spring Street, Clifton Springs and road to “The Dell”.

Ownership/Managing Authority
Crown land (Port of Geelong Authority) below high water mark; private land above high water mark.

Site Description
This is one of the several sites where beds of hard, yellow fossiliferous limestone outcrop in the intertidal zone. The main bed, which is 50 to 60 cm thick, rises as a distinct ridge above the level of the shore platform, and generally dips northward at about 20o. In several places the bed is folded and there are numerous step faults with variable amounts of throw. The limestone is interbedded with blue and yellow clays which are richly fossiliferous. The outcrop near the Clifton Springs bath extends over 100 m and dips steeply northward. It is folded into a northerly pitching anticline and is cut by a fault with a displacement of 2 m.

Significance
Regional. The limestone reef has been the subject of several geological studies. It is an unusually hard material when it outcrops on the shore platform and is softer and less prominent in cliff section exposures. The faulting and folding displayed in this outcrop is unusual in Tertiary strata in Victoria.

Management Considerations
Class 1. No coastal reclamation or construction work should take place at the site. As the major features of interest occur in the intertidal zone, it is important that no dredging, filling, trenching or outfall pipes be put across this area. The limestone reef should be left intact. The gaps that occur due to faulting should not be used as routes for boat ramps or other seaward projecting structures.

References
Hall, T.S. & Pritchard G.B. (1894)
Coulson, A. (1938)
Ladd, P.G. (1971)


Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Site 28, Dipping, faulted limestone reef at
Clifton Springs
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