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Site 25 Retarding Basin, Thomastown - Alluvial basin

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

  • 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.

Location:YARRA 5000/04.12 E21400 N27900 (approximate central position).

Access:

Unpaved vehicle tracks from either Main Street, Thomastown (eastern access), Somerset Road and Sarah Street (off Barry Road) (western access).

Ownership & Municipality:

Public Land, City of Broadmeadows and City of Preston, Melbourne Water.

Site Description:

The site is the broad erosional basin floored with alluvium and crossed by the meandering channel of Merri Creek. The features of special interest are: (a) the development of this broad erosional feature; (b) the small flat-topped hills of Silurian rock (one capped by basalt) not covered by alluvium inside the basin; (c) the meandering course of the Merri Creek and the cut-off meander developing.

Significance Rating:

Local.

The basin is an unusual feature in the context of the Merri Creek. Other broad flood basins upstream are a result of the stream being blocked by lava flows and are not erosional in origin.

Site Sensitivity:

Class 2.

The site is not being damaged by its present disuse. Dense weed growth inhibits access. The major features of the site would be lost if the area was regarded or utilised as a water storage. If the area was utilised as a flood migigation basin, the major site features would probably survive. The site could be utilised by geological interest groups but has little public utility as significant site access tracks were cut and maintained.

References:

None known.
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