K7 Gellibrand Hill - Granite Slopes

This information has been developed from the publications:

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 Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Shire of Otway (1984) by Neville Rosengren.

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	Keilor - 123303. Shire of Bulla. Northeastern section of Gellibrand Park.	K7 - Granite boulders Gellibrand Hill.
Access	Swain Street of Mickleham Road.
Ownership	Crown land.
Site Description	The site is the summit and southern slopes of Gellibrand Hill where there are outcrops and small tors of Bulla Granodiorite. Granite was quarried from this site last century and used in construction of the Melbourne Town Hall and Old Princes Bridge. Evidence of the quarrying can still be seen on some boulders.
	The outcrop is part of the large circular stock that outcrops intermittently from Greenvale to Bulla, the lower lying sectors being buried beneath flows of Newer Basalt. The granite has intruded Silurian sediments and although these do not outcrop in the Park, pebbles of shales and hornfels found in the shallow valley of the creek near the southeastern edge of the Park indicate the proximity of the contact zone. On the lower hillslopes are accumulations of coarse granitic colluvium.
Significance	Regional. The site is the closest example of granitic terrain to the metropolitan region. It is one of the few sites where locally obtained stone, other than basalt, was used in building construction in Melbourne. It is a clear example of minor landforms typical of granitic terrain.
Management	Class 3. The site should be maintained as public open space (Gellibrand Park). Building construction on the areas should not be permitted. Stream and slope processes should be left in existing condition.
References	Stillwell, F,L. (1911). Notes on the Geology of Broadmeadows. Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 24:156-178.

Page top