15. Franklin Island

This information has been developed from the publication:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the South Gippsland Marine and Coastal Parks (1989) 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 (external link) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location	365165. The island is on the western side of the Franklin River tidal channel 1 km south of Port Franklin.
Access:	Boat access only at high tide.
Significant Features:	Franklin Island is a large marsh island drained by three tidal creek systems and with a central salt marsh. There is a small Melaleuca zone in the north and two remnant stands on the eroding western coast. Large shell banks have accumulated in the intertidal zone on the south-western coast. The largest tidal creek system draining to the south is a relatively complex one with three groups of channels and tributaries. There are several large ponds in the salt marsh zone. By comparing aerial photographs taken between 1941 and 1984, Vanderzee (1988) noted a marked reduction in the area of Melaleuca and a landward migration of the mangrove zone. This indicates a continuing relative sea level rise.
Significance Level:	Regional. The site is one of the largest and least modified mangrove and salt marsh system in Corner Inlet. It illustrates continuing ecological and physiographic change.
Management Issues:	The site is not threatened by present land use. Any dredge spoil resulting from deepening of the Franklin Channel should not be disposed on the site.
Research & Monitoring Requirements:	Establish permanent mapping transects to determine ongoing physiographic and ecological change.
Public Interpretation Possibilities:	Access is very difficult and increased traffic will damage the sensitive salt marsh zone. Increased access could only be arranged by providing elevated boardwalks and ramps.
Main References:	Vanderzee, M. P. (1988). 'Changes in saltmarsh vegetation as an early indication of sea-level rise' in Greenhouse: Planning for Climatic Change ed. by G. I. Pearman, CSIRO, Melb.

Sites of Geological & Geomorphological Significance - Figure 48

Sites 14 (Foster Beach), 15 (Franklin Island) and 16 (Long Point)

Image: Marine and Coastal Parks Sites of Significance

Aerial oblique photograph of Franklin Island

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