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Mangroves, Merrett Rifle Range (former)

Other Name

Jawbone Conservation Reserve, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary

Location

Kororoit Creek Road, WILLIAMSTOWN VIC 3016 - Property No L10027

File Number

L10027

Level

Local

Statement of Significance

The Merrett Rifle Range area is classed as being of scientific interest due to the community of white mangroves (Auicennia marina) and salt marshes which are to be found there. This community is one of the few undisturbed remnants of coastal vegetation to be found close to Melbourne, and provides a habitat for a number of water birds some of which use the area as a breeding ground. For example Banded Plover (Vanellus tricolour), Spur-winger Plover (Vanellus miles), Richard's Pipit (Anthus noraesee landiae), White-faced heron (Ardea novaehollandiae) and Red-necked Stints (Calidris ruficollis).
The present progression is:
Salt-water - Port Phillip Bay
Black Silt containing pollen spores
Mangroves
Basalt Boulders covered with orange lichen
Salt Marsh
Marsh Sedge
Salt Bush
Mosses
Dry Black Silt and Shingle
Mesembryanthemum
Grasses
Reeds (almost extinct)
Grey Basaltic Soil and Peat
Sundew (Drosera) (almost extinct)
Grey Clay Soil with limestone and basaltic bounders
Mat grasses
Melaleuca (almost extinct).

The exposed basaltic lava is of geomorphological interest as it shows a number of structural features including a lava blister. To the western end of the site, fossils and emerged shellbeds are to be found with an Aboriginal midden behind the second stop-butt. The area is of considerable value therefore because of the role it could play in nature conservation, scientific study and education.
It is an area suffering from neglect, but which is of biological and geomorphological interest. The area is at present restricted land with limited access, and unsuitable for uses apart from its present use, and recreation, because of geological factors and its depth below flood level.

LOCATION:

The Recorded area lies behind the stop-butts in the southern section of the rifle range which is located in Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown.
The area consists of a narrow belt of approximately 30 metres wide (varying at certain points) which runs from the drain east of Maddox Street, eastward to the City of Williamstown stormwater drain which lies west of Bayview Street.
The narrow belt extends from and includes the basaltic rock platform to the low water mark.

Note: Classified boundary varies from Jawbone Marine Sanctuary boundary.

Recorded 03/05/1982.

Group

Landscape - Cultural