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85 Point McArthur - Cemented Band in Calcarenite

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.

Location019557. Western side of Port McArthur, 400 m west of Point King. The site is immediately west of a set of (private) wooden steps leading to the beach.
Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Site 85, Calcarenite beds at Point McArthur
AccessPoint King road and footpath to beach.
Ownership/Managing AuthorityPrivate land at Point McArthur. Public land (Portsea Foreshore Trust Committee of Management) for the sandy terrace at Collins Bay.

Site Description
Point McArthur is a calcarenite headland with clearly displayed typical acolianite features, such as cross bedding, pitting, differential weathering and buried soils. Extending around the western side of the pint, and resting about 1 m above high water mark is a 60 to 70 cm thick horizontal band of cemented calcarenite. This band is independent of dune bedding and structures. The band has been interpreted as a layer of secondary cementation induced by deposition of calcium carbonate from a freshwater lens lying in the dunes above the high water mark. The elevation of this band, (about 1 m above present high water level) suggests that the sea stood at this higher level (possibly in the mid-Holocene). To the west of the point, the cliff is fronted by a wide sandy depositional terrace that extends towards Point Franklin. The upper surface of this terrace is only a little below the level of the cemented band.

Significance
State. This is one of a number of sites in Port Phillip Bay that have been interpreted as indicating a higher Holocene sea level. The site was first described by the late Professor E.S. Hills, one of the most significant figures in the development of geomorphological studies in Victoria. The terrace to the west of Point McArthur is an unusually broad sand accumulation feature and its level may be related to the development of the cemented band. This terrace may once have extended as a foreland from Point King to Point Franklin thus enclosing Point McArthur.

Management Considerations
Class 1. The cemented calcarenite band should be left exposed and kept free from building or protective structures. The calcarenite cliffs should not be reclaimed or further built over by public or private structures. No further buildings or reclamation should be permitted on the outer margin of the beach terrace.

References
Hills, E.S. (1940)


Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Site 85, Cemented band (1 m on ranging pole)
in calcarenite, Point McArthur
Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Site 85, Cemented band in calcarenite,
Point McArthur

Image: Sites of Significance Port Phillip Bay
Site 85, Point McArthur cemented band
(arrow), and terrace at Collins Bay
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