Site 35 "Merri Creek Park" - Incised Channel

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:	CLONBINANE 5000/04.03 E22500 N45700 to E23750 N47750
	Corridor approximately 2.2 km long from 50 m to 100 m wide along the Merri Creek south of “Merri Creek Park”.
Access:	Epping Road.
Ownership & Municipality:	Private Land (“Merri Creek Park”), Shire of Whittlesea.
Site Description:	The Merri Creek flows in a rocky channel cut into and bounded by lava flows from Bald Hill. The “inner valley” of the creek is incised on average 5 m below the level of the lava plain which here is a series of subdued stony rises and ridges with a local relief of 5 to 8 m. There is a variety of relief along the creek valley including small rapids alternating with pools, large joint-bounded lava blocks, low rocky cliffs, rock terraces and alluvial terraces. The site is enhanced by the proximity of Bald Hill, a very conspicuous volcano and the source of the lava flows of the area.
Significance Rating:	Regional.
	This is the most “natural” sector of the Merri Creek in the study area and is almost certainly the least disturbed sector in all of the Merri Creek catchment. Although there are no outstanding individual geological or geomorphological features, the intact assembly of landforms and the diversity of indigenous vegetation provides an excellent illustration of the physical environment of the Merri Creek valley prior to European settlement.
Site Sensitivity:	Class 3.
	The site is on private land but has had little interference from built structures and grazing pressure is currently low. The essential qualities of the site are adequately maintained under the current management and land use. The geological features are robust and walking trails could be developed without damaging these. There is no public access and the site is remote from public roads.
References:	None known

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