| Photographs: | |
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| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Natural |
| Legal Status: | Registered (22/06/1993) |
| Place ID: | 1587 |
| Place File No: | 1/11/102/0017 |
| Statement of Significance: |
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Jevis Bay is in the transition zone between the warm temperate (Peronian) and the cool temperate (Maugean) biogeographic provinces. Therefore many marine species are found here at their southern or northern geographic distribution limit. The clear waters of the bay have contributed to the growth of seagrass communities to a greater depth than known elsewhere in New South Wales. The seagrass communities of the bay are also amongst the most extensive in New South Wales. The POSIDONIA beds in Hare Bay are the largest continuous beds dominated by this species in the State. Jervis Bay is one of the few sites in New South Wales where HETEROZOSTERA TASMANICA has been recorded. The marine environment contains a great diversity of habitats including intertidal rock platforms, sublittoral rocky reefs, deep water cliffs with caves and rock joints, deep water substrates and seagrass beds. These habitats support a rich manine fauna including sponges, hydroids, bryzoas, sessile animals, molluscs, crustaceans and worms. The macro invertebrate fauna that inhabits the seagrass beds is diverse with ninety six species present. There are also a high number of individuals, with 2,491 individuals per square metre recorded. The bay supports a high diversity of algal species with 100 intertidal, eighty five tidal species and fifty seven species attached to seagrass. A high diversity of fish species (180 species), has been recorded from the bay. Rare and uncommon marine fauna that inhabit the bay include the blindfish (DEMAPTOSIS MACRODON), which is thought to be very uncommon and the grassy sea dragon (PHYCORDURUS EQUES STUMBDOLLI), which is possibly a very rare animal. Marine mammals which are nationally endangered include the humpback whale (MEGAPTERA NOVANGLIAE), southern right whale (EUBALAENA AUSTRALIS) and leathery turtle (DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA). The rock platform at Tapalla Point is of high geological significance because of the prolific occurrence of glenodites. Other features of geological significance include marine fossils of Permian age (280-220 million years bp). Jervis Bay is unusual geomorphologically. It is a drowned syncline, rather than the more usual drowned valleys of the New South Wales coast. The area supports a very high diversity of vegetation types including rainforest, tall open forest, open forest, swamp forest, woodland, open woodland, mallee heathland/scrubland, dry heathland, moist heathland, saltmarsh and grassland. Within these types a highly diverse flora is found, with 723 native species recorded, including four nationally rare species, ACACIA SUBTILINERVIS, GREVILLEABARKLYANA, LEPTOSPERMUM EPACRIDOIDEUM and PLATYSACE STEPHENSONII. ACACIA SUBTILINERVIS and LEPTOSPERMUM EPACRIDOIDEUM are found within the closed heath/shrubland community on sandstone, which is of restricted distribution. The plant community dominated by EUCALYPTUS TERETICORNIS, ANGOPHORA FLORIBUNDA and EUCALYPTUS SALIGNA found in the area is of restricted distribution and high value as a faunal habitat. A small patch of warm temperate rainforest near Hyams Beach is of biogeographic significance because it is of a type rare on the coast at low altitude, containing species normally associated with escarpment forests. Several plant species found within the Jervis Bay area are of biogeographic significance because they occur at the limit of their distribution. Saltmarsh species at or near their northern geographic limit include WILSONIA BACKHOUSEI, STIPA TERETIFOLIA and LIMONIUM AUSTRALE. Two seagrass species ZOSTERA CAPRICORNIA and HETERZOSTERA TASMANICA are found close to their northern limit in the bay and EUCALYPTUS PUNCTATA is near its southern limit in the forests. The area contains representative wet and dry sclerophyll communities which are remnants of the forests, which were once extensive on the south coast of New South Wales. The vegetation communities around the bay provide significant wildlife corridors linking populations of the Beecroft and Bherwerre Peninsulas. The area supports a diverse fauna with forty three native mammal species, 207 bird species, seventeen amphibian species and twenty nine reptile species recorded. Twenty two bird species are of special concern in New South Wales, nine species listed as vulnerable and rare and three species listed as threatened, including the little tern (STERNA ALBIFRONS), ground parrot (PEZOPORUS WALLICUS) and eastern bristlebird (DASYORNIS BRACHYPTERUS) inhabit the area. Four mammal species of special concern inhabit the area including the eastern pygmy possum (CERCARTETUS NANUS), feathertail glider (ACROBATES PYGMAEUS), large footed mouse eared bat (MYOTIS ADVERSUS) and new holland mouse (PSEUDOMYS NOVAEHOLLANDIAE); one species listed as vulnerable and rare, the white footed dunnart (SMINTHOPSIS LEUCOPUS) and one species listed as threatened, the long nosed potoroo (POTOROUS TRIDACTYLUS). One reptile species of special concern, the diamond python (MORELIA SPILOTA) and one species listed as threatened, the broad headed snake (HOPLOCEPHALUS BUNGAROIDES) are found in the area. The presence in the area of all five glider species that occur in southern Australia is of high signficance. These species; the greater glider (PETAUROIDES VOLANS), yellow bellied glider (PETAURUS AUSTRALIS), sugar glider (PETAURUS BREVICEPS), squirrel glider (PETAURUS NORFOLCENSIS) and feathertail glider do not usually have overlaping ranges. a biogeographically significant population of the golden whistler (PACHYCEPHALA PECTORALIS) inhabits the forests of the area. The sub species PECTORALIS is predominant in summer, whereas in autumn the populations of this species are augumented by intergrades and the more southerly subspecies (YOUNGI). Twelve waterbird species protected by international migratory bird treaties (CAMBA and JAMBA) inhabit the area. The area contains the upper catchment of Bid Bid Creek and much of the catchment of Currambene Creek. Natural vegetation, minimum disturbance and lack of erosion in these catchments are important factors in maintaing the very clear waters of the bay. These creeks provide an important habitat for molluscs, crabs and waterbirds and a significant nursery ground for fish. The mangrove and saltmarsh communities found in the area are now rare on the south coast of New South Wales, where large areas of these communities have been cleared for agriculture and urban development. The AEGICERAS CORNICULATUM/AVICENNIA MARINA community found on the waterfront at the mouth of Currambene Creek is unusual as AEGICERAS is normally found higher upstream. The mangrove communities support an abundant and diverse fauna with twenty to thirty species of molluscs recorded and thirty five species of polychetes. The area is valued by the community, and has been valued by past communities for recreational activities, particularly diving in its clear waters, unusual sea meadows, sea fauna and protected waters. Jervis Bay and surrounding area has high aesthetic value because it evokes sensations of wonder. The area can be experienced as an entity defined by predominantly natural land. It is a particularly large body of blue water which contrasts with its white sands. It evokes sensations of awe due to its form, with the uncommonly high cliff face of Point Perpendicular and the gateway formation Point Perpendicular makes with Bowen Island. A number of shipwrecks are located in the waters of Jervis Bay. These have potential to contribute to the maritime history, and general history of Australia. The Commission has determined that this place has Indigenous values of National Estate significance. The Commission is currently consulting with relevant Indigenous communities about the amount of information to be placed on public record. |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
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Jervis Bay and surrounding area extends from Sussex Inlet in the south to Culburra in the north, extending westward to include Currambene State Forest. The waters of Jervis Bay are also included.
Areas which are continuous with this area which are listed in the Register of the National Estate are: Beecroft Peninsula-Lake Wollumboola area, Jervis Bay Nature Reserve and Gurumbi Nature Reserve.
The marine environment of Jervis Bay contains a great diversity of habitats including: intertidal rock platforms, sublittoral rocky reefs, deep water cliffs with caves and fault lines, deep water sandy substrates and sea grass beds.
These habitats support an extremely rich marine fauna including sponges, hydroids, bryzoas, masses of sessile animals, molluscs, crustaceans and worms.
A survey of Jervis Bay found it contained 200 species of marine fish representing at least eighty families.
The bay was formed by down folding of the earths crust.
Flooding then occurred as sea levels rose.
This is in marked contrast to other bays of comparable size in eastern Australia, which were formed by the flooding of river valleys.
Lake Windermere and Lake Mckenzie, the two fresh water lagoons within the area, provide a valuable habitat for water fowl and indigenous fresh water fauna.
They both have deep layers of sediment. These sediments offer an opportunity for palaeoecologists to reconstruct past environments of the region.
Within this relatively small area, as a response to edaphic features, there is a high diversity of plant communities and species, with approximately twenty five plant communites occuring which support 723 native plant species. These communities make up thirteen major vegetation types including: rainforest, which is found in small patches throughout the region, with elements occuring in moister forests within the area. Dominant species include FICUS spp., corkwood (ENDIANDRA SIEBERI) and cheese tree (GLOCHIDION FERDINANDI). Tall open forest dominated by sydney blue gum (EUCALYPTUS SALIGNA), spotted gum (EUCALYPTUS MACULATA) and blackbutt (EUCALYPTUS PILULARIS). Open forest dominated by blackbutt, spotted gum and grey ironbark (E. PANICULATA) with localised occurrences of forest redgum (E. TERETICORNIS). Swamp forest of two types. One type is localised along streams in the west and north-west of the area. It is dominated by woollybutt (E. LONGIFOLIA) and MELALEUCA spp. A second type, which occurs around freshwater wetlands, is dominated by swamp mahogany (E. ROBUSTA) and swamp oak (ALLOCASUARINA GLAUCA). Woodland dominated by black ash (EUCALYPTUS SIEBERI), red bloodwood (E. GUMMIFERA) and scribbly gum (E. SCLEROPHYLLA). Open woodland dominated by scribbly gum and heath species. Mallee/heathland dominated by Port Jackson mallee (E. OBSTANS), BANKSIA ERICIFOLIA and other heath species. Scrubland dominated by BANKSIA ERICIFOLIA and ALLOCASUARINA DISTYLA. Dry heathland with species varying according to substrate. Found on shallow sandstone soils and rock. Dominant species include LEPTOSPERMUM EPACRDOIDEUM, CALYTRIX TETRAGONA and BAECKEA BREVIFOLIA. Moist heathland/sedgeland dominated by sedges including ghania spp., GYMNOSCHOENUS SPHAEROCEPHALUS and LEPTOCARPUS TENAX. Shrub species include native broom (VIMINARIA JUNCEA), ACACIA ELONGATA, BAUERA RUBIOIDES and common red bottlebrush (CALLISTEMON CITRINUS). Mangrove woodland/shrubland which occurs around all of the main estuaries. The main stands are on Currambene Creek and Carama Inlet. Mangrove species are AVICENNIA MARINA and AEGICERAS CORNICULATUM. Saltmarsh which occurs on all estuaries and inlets. Species include samphire (SARCOCORNIA QUINQUEFLORA), sand couch (SPOROBOLUS VIRGINICUS), TRIGLOCHIN STRIATA and WILSONIA BACKHOUSEI. Coastal grassland/shrubland made up of a series of different including spinifex (SPINIFEX HIRSUTUS) grassland, ACACIA SOPHORAE shrubland, coast banksia (BANKSIA INTEGRIFOLIA) coast tea tree (LEPTOSPERMUM LAEVIGATUM) and bangalay (E. BOTRYOIDES) woodland. The diverse vegetation has allowed the development of an equally diverse fauna. 207 bird and forty three mammal species have been recorded in the region. The estuarine wetlands provide habitat for numerous waterbirds, crustaceans and molluscs, as well as providing a nursery for fish and other aquatic species. The clarity of the water provides an excellent environment for scuba diving and each year many thousands of recreational divers from Australia and overseas use the area which they regard as one of the best underwater diving locations in the world. Historically Jervis Bay has associations with Captain Cook, who in the year 1770 was the first European to sight it. He named the southern headland St Georges Head and the northern head Longnose Point. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
| The condition of the area is variable according to land use. The forests included in the area have been selectively logged over a long period of time and contain a network of tracks. Both Currambene and Tomerong State Forests also contain old pine plantations which are being colonised by native species. The banks of Currambene Creek west of Myola have been cleared for agricultural purposes. |
| Location: |
| Approximately 30,000ha, surrounding and including Jervis Bay, 13km south-east of Nowra, comprising the area bounded by a line commencing at low water mark due east of the north-east corner of Jervis Bay Nature Reserve (approximate AMG point: 9027-Jervis Bay-961085, then due west to that corner, then westerly via the northern boundary of that reserve to the north eastern boundary of Wreck Bay Aboriginal Land Grant, then westerly via that boundary of that land to its north-west corner, then northerly via the boundary of Jervis Bay Nature Reserve to the southern side of Jervis Bay Road; then northerly via that side of that road to the boundary of Jervis Bay Territory; then westerly via that boundary to AMG easting: 9027-870; then directly to the south-west corner of Gurumbi Nature Reserve; then northerly via the western boundary of that reserve to its north-west corner, then directly to the southern side of St George Avenue at AMG easting: 9027-866, then easterly via the southern side of that avenue to the eastern side of Jervis Bay Road; then northerly via that side of that road to the eastern boundary of Lot 1742 dp 28785, then southerly via that boundary and westerly via the southern boundary of that Lot and the projection of the latter to the western boundary of the Parish of Bherwerre, then northerly via that boundary to the south-east corner of Portion 99, Parish of Wandrawandian, then westerly via the southern boundaries of that portion to Pine Forest Road then northerly via the eastern side of that road to the northern boundary of the Parish of Wandrawandian, then westerly via that boundary to the Princes Highway; then northerly via the eastern side of that highway to the southern boundary of Portion 4, Parish of Tomerong, then easterly via that boundary and the southern and eastern boundaries of Portion 73 to the western boundary of Tomerong State Forest, then northerly via that boundary to the south-east corner of Portion 171, Tomerong, then northerly via the eastern boundary of that portion and its alignment to the southern boundary of Lot 4 DP 608099, then westerly and northerly via the boundaries of that lot to Mortimer Road, then easterly via the southern side of that road to the alignment of the eastern boundary of Lot 34, DP 15507, then northerly via that alignment and the alignment of the eastern boundaries of Lots 14 to 17 to Jervis Bay Road, then westerly via the southern side of that road to the Princes Highway, then northerly via the eastern side of that road to the southern boundary of the Parish of Nowra, then easterly and northerly via that boundary and the eastern boundary of that parish to Forest Road, then easterly via the southern side of that road to its intersection with a track at approximate AMG point: 9028-Kiama- 854285, then easterly via the southern side of that track (Kurrajong/Butterfly Road) and generally on the northern catchment boundary of Coonemia Creek to its intersection with a powerline trackat approximate AMG point: 889294, then easterly via the southern side of that track to Coonamia Road, then northerly via the eastern side of that road to Culburra Road, then easterly via the southern side of that road to AMG northing: 9028-315, then directly to the western boundary of Portion 3, Parish of Wollumboola, at AMG northing: 9028- 3102; then northerly via that boundary to AMG northing: 9028-3185; then directly to the shore of Lake Wollumboola at AMG easting: 9028- ii-S-Crookhaven-953; then easterly, via that shore to the eastern most point of the lake; then due east to low water mark; then southerly via low water to AMG easting: 9027-1-N-Currarong-002; then southerly via straight lines joining the latter point and following AMG points to exclude the settlement of Currarong: 001226, 01902235 and 02002313; then directly to low water mark at AMG easting: 9027- 015; then via low water easterly to the eastern most point on Beecroft Head: then due east for 1km: then southerly at a constant distance of 1km from low water mark to a point 1km south-east of the most southerly point on Point Perpendicular; then directly to a point 1km east of the most easterly point on Governor Head; then southerly at a constant distance of 1km from low water mark to a point 1km south-east of the most southerly point on St Georges Head; then north- easterly via low water mark to the commencement point. |
| Bibliography: |
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Adam P and Hutchings P (1987). The Saltmarshes and Mangroves of Jervis Bay. Wetlands, Jul 1987, 6(2):58-64. Bayley W H (1965). Shoalhaven. Shoalhaven Shire Council, Nowra. Braithwaite L W, Austin M P, Margules C R, Catling M C and Bedwood M (1988). Jervis Bay Flora and Fauna Survey and Assessment of Specific Sites for the Jervis Bay Arnament Depot EIS, CSIRO, Division of Wildlife and Ecolology, Canberra. Breckwolt, R (1986). Identification of the Places of National Estate Significance in Jervis Bay and its Environs. Australian Heritage Commission, Canberra. Browne G (1987). Jervis Bay and Environs Visual Assessment. Australian Heritage Commission, Canberra. Catford A. (1987). Jervis Bay: a Very Special Place. Wetlands Jul 1987, 6(2):6-8. Dames and Moore (1987). Proposed Armament Depot Natural Baseline Study - March 1987, Dames and Moore, Sydney. Doughton R (1973). Evolution of Jervis Bay Landscape. in Jervis Bay: the Future. Australian Littoral Society, Sydney. Griffiths R (1984). A study of the Natural Environments of Jervis Bay, New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney. Helman C (1979). A Study of the Rainforest Vegetation of Beecroft Peninsula, New South Wales. B. Litt. Department of Botany, University of New England. Helman P (1991). Report on the Objections to Listing in the Register of National Estate - Jervis Bay and Surrounds. Unpublished. AHC, Canberra. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation (1975). Development Pressures on Jervis Bay. AGPS, Canberra. Hutchings P (1973). The Mangroves of Jervis Bay. In Jervis Bay: the Future. Australian Littoral Society. Sydney. Larkum A (1973). The Marine Plants of Jervis Bay. In Jervis Bay: the Future. Australian Littoral Society. Sydney. Leadbitter D and Pollard D A (1987). Fishing and Diving Activities at Jervis Bay: Past and Present Usage. Wetlands, July 1987,6(2):65-74. Leadbitter D and Pollard D A (1987). Proposals for Aquatic Reserves at Jervis Bay. Wetlands, Jul 1987 6(2):28-31. Leadbitter D (1987). The Sediments and Associated Invertebrate Communities of Jervis Bay. Wetlands Jul 1987 6(2):22-27. Mills K and Associates (1989a). Ecological Resources and Land Use Planning in the Hyams Beach Area, Jervis Bay, New South Wales. Mills K and Associates (1989b). The Jervis Bay Region of New South Wales a Bibliography. K Mills and Assoc, Woonona. Prepared for the Hyams Beach Villagers Association, Hyams Beach. Mills K (1991). Wildlife Corridors in the Jervis Bay Region New South Wales. A report to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Wollongong. Mills K (in prep.). The Natural Vegetation of the Jervis Bay Region of New South Wales. Mitchell McCotter and Associates (1988). Vincentia Local Environment Study - Ecological Assessment. Prepared by Shoalhaven City Council, Nowra. National Trust of Australia (NSW) (1974). Submission to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW on a Proposal by the National Trust for the Permanent Protection of Natural Areas in the Vicinity of Jervis Bay. National Trust, Sydney. Percival I C (1979). The Geological Heritage of NSW. Geological Society of Australia (NSW Division), Sydney. Pollard D A (1973). Jervis Bay: the Future. Australian Littoral Society, Sydney. Ramsay J (1991). Objection Assessment for Jervis Bay and Surrounding Area in New South Wales and the ACT: Landscape Aspects. Unpublished, Australian Heritage Commission, Canberra. Sullivan M E (1977). Aboriginal Sites of Bherwerre Peninsula. Conservation Memorandum No.5, Conservation and Agriculture Branch of Department of the Capital Territory, Canberra. Thom B G (1987). Coastal Geomorphology of the Jervis Bay Area. Wetlands Jul 1987, 6(2):19-21. Waterman P and Leadbitter D (1987). Annotated Bibliography of the Marine Environment at Jervis Bay. Wetlands, Jul 1987, 6(2):91 102. Zakharov I (1987). A Review of Aboriginal Culture Factors for the Jervis Bay Area NSW. Wetlands, Jul 1987, 6(2):9-18. |
Report Produced: Wed Feb 10 02:42:35 2010