| Photographs: | |
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| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Indigenous |
| Legal Status: | Registered (20/05/2003) |
| Place ID: | 102512 |
| Place File No: | 8/02/002/0007 |
| Statement of Significance: |
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The Commonwealth owned Jervis Bay Territory, including
Bherwerre Peninsula, Bowen Island, and that part of Jervis Bay from Captains Point to Bowen Island, occurs near the southern boundary of the Hawkesbury Sandstone. Accordingly it has a high diversity of plants and represents a northern or southern distribution limit for 33 species of plants.
There are 625 indigenous plant species in the place, occurring in 38 communities on Bherwerre Peninsula and 14 communities on Bowen Island.
Dominant vegetation types include forests, woodlands, heathlands and shrublands.
The place includes well preserved examples of mangrove, saltmarsh and littoral rainforest communities. The area is home to the Koori people of Wreck Bay who have always lived in, and have strong cultural ties to, the area. These cultural ties are evidenced today through oral traditions, the knowledge and practice of the use of natural resources for food and the making of utensils and crafts, and in the respect for country. Through strong family ties, Koori people of Wreck Bay have maintained their traditional association with the area by passing on the ancestral stories and creation stories relating to the area. Parents recite such stories today to their children. The place contains a large number of prehistoric Aboriginal sites. Rock shelters, stone-flaking sites and axe-sharpening grooves and shell middens demonstrate the length of Aboriginal occupation of the area. Ceremonial BUNAN or BORA grounds, used for initiation, are known only from the immediate hinterland of Wreck Bay, and nearly all known grinding groove sites are in the catchments of Mary and Summercloud Bays. These sites demonstrate past cultural practices and are important to the Wreck Bay community. The fish bones and fishing implements in the middens document changing fishing practices over the last 3,000 years. There is a concentration of middens towards the eastern end of Wreck Bay. The high density of midden sites in this area reflects the preferred fishing zones of the present community demonstrating a continuity of use despite changing lifestyles. The continuing importance of marine resources to the Wreck Bay Community is also reflected in their choice of Booderee, an Aboriginal word from the Dhurga language meaning 'bay of plenty' or 'plenty of fish', as the name for the jointly managed National Park. The clear waters of Jervis Bay generally have supported the growth of the largest and deepest beds of the seagrass strapweed (POSIDONIA AUSTRALIS) in New South Wales. The beds are significant in terms of macroinvertebrate species richness and provide a valuable nursery, spawning ground and feeding ground for many fish species. The bay itself is an unusual geological formation, formed by downfolding of the earth's crust and subsequent flooding 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. The coast of the Jervis Bay Territory is noted for the variety of marine environments, including the highest sea cliffs in New South Wales (135 m at Steamers Beach), sea caves, vertical gutters, intertidal rock platforms, deepwater seagrass beds and sublittoral rocky reefs. The Jervis Bay Territory supports two mammals, one frog, and 18 birds listed as vulnerable or endangered, either nationally or in New South Wales. These include the nationally endangered eastern bristle bird (DASYORNIS BRACHYPTERUS) and the threatened ground parrot (PEZOPORUS WALLICUS). The Wreck Bay Settlement was established by Koori initiatives in the early 1900s. They favoured the area because of strong traditional and cultural ties, its closeness to both the bush and the sea for collection of food and other resources, and its distance from non-Aboriginal settlements. The settlement, the graveyard and other Aboriginal graves on the peninsula are highly significant to the Wreck Bay Community. Wreck Bay is one of the areas associated with the Aboriginal Land Rights movement in the 1970s and 1980s. It was the scene of protests and blockades to ensure that Wreck Bay remained an Aboriginal community. Historic sites and places within the Jervis Bay Territory (part) with identified and assessed national estate values, and which are individually significant, include Cape St George Lighthouse & Curtilage(1859) (RNE File No. 8/02/002/0002), HMAS Creswell (1913) the Commonwealth Naval College (RNE File No. 8/02/0002/0001), and Christian's Minde (1896) (RNE File No. 8/02/0002/0003) the first guest house on the south coast between Port Hacking and Twofold Bay. The whole of the Jervis Bay Territory is important for its association with the establishment of a Royal Australian Naval College, which lead to the selection of Jervis Bay in 1911and the development of the Annexe to the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. In 1951 a frost free annexe to the Canberra Botanic Gardens was developed on a site at Lake Mackenzie (Register File No. 8/02/002/0006). (Australian Historic Themes: 3.22 Lodging people, 3.23 catering for tourists, 3.08.01 Shipping to and from Australian ports, 3.08.02 Safeguarding Australian products for long journeys, 7.07 Defending Australia, 7.07.01Providing for the common defence, 8.03 Going on holiday, 9.07.03 Remembering the dead) The grave of Harriet Parker at Green Patch, associated with Cape St George Lighthouse, and the Ellmoos family private cemetery, also at Christian's Minde, are considered to have national estate values by virtue of their associations. However, not all sites of historic cultural heritage significance within the area of Jervis Bay Territory have been fully identified or assessed. |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
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Aboriginal people used Bherwerre long before rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age turned this area of land into a peninsula. Evidence from the nearby Burrill Lake demonstrates that Aboriginal occupation extends back at least 20,000 years. The rise of sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age created a diversity of habitats on the Bherwerre Peninsula and the surrounding marine environment.
This diversity of habitats and resources attracted Aboriginal people to the area and provided them with sustenance. On 23 April 1770 Captain James Cook noted the entrance to Jervis Bay and the headland he named Cape St George. The first European to enter the bay was Lieutenant Richard Bowen in August 1791. The importance of safe coastal shipping routes was recognised in 1859 when the Cape St George lighthouse was built east of the Bherwerre Trig Point. The debate as to the suitability of the site was not resolved until 1883 when a decision to erect the Point Perpendicular Lighhouse was made following the decision to establish Jervis Bay as a Harbour of Refuge for ships during gales. The Cape St George Lighthouse operated until 1889 when the complex was decommissioned following completion of the Point Perpendicular complex. The isolated nature of the Cape St George Lighthouse and its occupation are illustrated by the grave and memorial to Harriet Parker who was accidentally killed in 1887 whilst playing in buildings at the complex. The construction of the Wool Road from Braidwood in 1841 raised speculation as to the use of Jervis Bay as a port. The township of Huskisson was established in addition to South Huskisson, Central Jervis Town and New Bristol. A railway link with Bathurst was proposed in 1852 but support for a railway line connecting Jervis Bay to Port Jackson in 1870 gained precedence. Although the railway arrived at Bomaderry on the north bank of the Shoalhaven River in 1893 the line was not extended to Jervis Bay since the Shoalhaven River Bridge of 1881 could not support the line whilst the onset of the financial crisis in 1893 prevented further State investment in infrastructure. In 1880 Jacob Ellmoos from Hostrup, Denmark, discovered rich fishing grounds at Sussex Inlet. By 1886 Jacob's parents Christian and Lousia and Jacob's siblings had arrived on the 100 acre land grant at Sussex inlet. Although members of the family were lost at sea the Ellmoos family had opened a guest house by 1896, the first on the South Coast between Port Hacking and Twofold Bay. The establishment was given the name of Christian's Minde meaning 'To the memory of Christian' who had drowned in 1888. After Christian Snr retired in 1905 the establishment was managed by Jacob and his wife Sarah. Family members were buried in a private cemetery to the east of the guest house. The impact of European settlement led to a significant reduction in the Koori population as groups were marginalised and their lands expropriated. Despite the growing European demand for coastal lands, the Wreck Bay Settlement was established by Koori initiatives in the early 1900s. In 1915 Jervis Bay was acquired by the Commonwealth as Federal Territory for the purpose of building a naval facility. The Ellmoos family was compensated for the loss of its holdings which became leasehold. Christian's Minde continued as a popular holiday resort until the 1940s when it was converted into flats. The property leases remain in part with the Ellmoos family. The Commonwealth had selected Jervis Bay as port for the new Federal Capital following the choice of Canberra as Federal Capital. In 1911 the new Royal Australian Navy made representations for the creation of a Naval College, following which the Jervis Bay site was developed with work commencing in 1913 to designs from the Office of Commonwealth Architect attributed to John Smith Murdoch. As an important Commonwealth site the entrance to Jervis Bay was later fortified by Defence. The Royal Australian Naval College complex known as HMAS Cresswell continues in use for this purpose today. Circa 1912 Octavius Charles Beale erected a house near Lake Mackenzie. on a dairy property formerly called Bherwerre. In 1951 a frost free annexe to the Canberra Botanic Gardens was developed on the site (Register File No. 8/02/002/0006). The Commonwealth owned Jervis Bay Territory, is composed of Bherwerre Peninsula, Bowen Island, and that part of Jervis Bay from Captains Point to Bowen Island. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION The Jervis Bay Territory (part) is composed of Bherwerre Peninsula, Bowen Island, and that part of Jervis Bay from Captains Point to Bowen Island. The coast of Bherwerre Peninsula includes high sea cliffs, sea caves, intertidal rock platforms, beaches and sublittoral rocky reefs. The Permian sandstone bedrock is overlain by Tertiary gravels and Quaternary sands. There is a large area of unstable sand behind Bherwerre Beach. Two freshwater lakes in the place, Lake Windermere and Lake McKenzie, provide habitat for water birds and turtles and contain sediments useful for palaeoecological studies. The terrestrial vegetation of the Jervis Bay Territory is diverse, with 625 native plant species occurring in 11 major vegetation types. The mainland supports 38 distinct communities, while Bowen Island supports 14 communities, seven of which are not found on Bherwerre Peninsula. Forests occur on sandy soil and are dominated by blackbutt (EUCALYPTUS PILULARIS), bangalay (E. BOTRYOIDES), and grey ironbark (E. PANICULATA). Swamp forests and shrublands are dominated by bangalay, swamp oak (CASUARINA GLAUCA), LEPTOSPERMUM POLYGALIFOLIUM, MELALEUCA ERICIFOLIA and M. SQUARROSA. Rainforests dominated by lilly pilly (ACMENA SMITHII), sandpaper fig (FICUS CORONATA), cabbage palm (LIVISTONA AUSTRALIS), grey myrtle (BACKHOUSIA MYRTIFOLIA), and coachwood (CERATOPETALUM APETALUM) are patchily distributed in the area. Woodland communities are found on both sandy soils and bedrock, and are dominated by scribbly gum (E. SCLEROPHYLLA), red bloodwood (E. GUMMIFERA), silvertop ash (E. SIEBERI), BANKSIA INTEGRIFOLIA, B. SERRATA, MELALEUCA LINARIIFOLIA and grey mangrove (AVICENNIA MARINA). Woodland eucalypts grow in mallee form on the poorest sites. The presence of a mallee form of EUCALYPTUS IMITANS on Steamers Head is of interest as this species usually grows in tree form. Heathlands are common on areas with exposed bedrock. Small trees and shrubs such as ALLOCASUARINA DISTYLA, BANKSIA ERICIFOLIA, SPRENGELIA INCARNATA, MELALEUCA SPP., and BAECKEA IMBRICATA dominate these communities. Coast teatree (LEPTOSPERMUM LAEVIGATUM) and coastal wattle (ACACIA SOPHORAE) dominate shrublands growing in coastal conditions. Other minor communities include sedgeland, rushland and herbland growing on waterlogged soils, and mangrove and saltmarsh communities growing along Sussex Inlet. The terrestrial fauna of the Jervis Bay Territory is equally diverse, with 207 bird, 43 mammal, 16 reptile and 15 frog species recorded. The coast and wetlands provide habitat for numerous waterbirds, including 25 species listed on international migratory bird agreements (JAMBA, CAMBA, and the Bonn Convention). Fairy penguins (EUDYPTULA MINOR) and short-tailed shearwaters (PUFFINUS TENUIROSTRIS) breed in tussock shrubland on Bowen Island. Three species of glider occur sympatrically, the greater glider (PETAUROIDES VOLANS), sugar glider (PETAURUS NORFOLCENSIS) and the feathertail glider (ACROBATES PYGMAEUS). Historic sites and places with identified and assessed national estate values include: Cape St George Lighthouse & Curtilage (1859) (RNE File No. 8/02/002/0002) on Bhewerre peninsula; HMAS Creswell (RNE File No. 8/02/0002/0001) the Commonwealth's Naval College (1913) at Captain's Point; Christian's Minde (RNE File No. 8/02/0002/0003), the first guest house (1896) on the south coast between Port Hacking and Twofold Bay, at Sussex Inlet; and the Annexe to the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra developed on a site at Lake Mackenzie (RNE File No. 8/02/002/0006). The grave of Harriet Parker at Green Patch, associated with the Cape St George Lighthouse, and the Ellmoos family cemetery at Christian's Minde are considered to have national estate values by virtue of their associations. However, not all sites of historic cultural heritage significance within the area of Jervis Bay Territory have been fully identified or assessed. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
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Natural Values: The majority of the Jervis Bay Territory is still in a natural state. However, small areas have been cleared for the Jervis Bay Village, University of Canberra Field Station, Jervis Bay Range Facility, Jervis Bay Botanic Gardens and Christians Minde. Approximately 350 hectares of blackbutt (EUCALYPTUS PILULARIS) dry forest were logged in the 1950s and planted with pines. Smaller areas of blackbutt wet sclerophyll forest near Murrays Beach were also logged. Pine plantations have since been removed and both forest types are regenerating. Cleared areas behind Bherwerre Beach have been stabilised by the planting of marram grass (AMMOPHILA ARENARIA), spinifex (SPINIFEX SERICEUS), ACACIA SOPHORAE, LEPTOSPERMUM LAEVIGATUM, and bitou (CHRYSANTHEMOIDES MONOLIFERA subsp. ROTUNDATA). The site now supports a shrubland dominated by the latter three species. Bitou has become a major weed, with widespread infestations in the place. Control measures hold the infestation at its current level. Another major weed infestation occurs on Bowen Island, where kikuyu grass (PENNISETUM CLANDESTINUM) grows in LOMANDRA LONGIFOLIA tussock rushland. This infestation has been reduced through control measures. Foxes are common and subject to an ongoing control program. Soil on part of the Jervis Bay Range Facility has been contaminated by fuel sources. The source of the contamination has been removed. (April 2001). Values at the airfield and associated infrastructure are no longer present. Historic Values: Refer to individual place reports for statements of condition and integrity. |
| Location: |
| About 7600ha at Jervis Bay, comprising all of the Jervis Bay Territory. |
| Bibliography: |
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Adam, P. (1987). New South Wales Rainforests: the nomination for the World Heritage List. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney. Adam, P. and Hutchings P. (1987). The Saltmarshes and Mangroves of Jervis Bay. Wetlands July 1987 6(2): 58-64. AGSO (1995). Geoscience and Environmental Map of Jervis Bay Territory and Beecroft Peninsula. Australian Geological Survey Organisation. Booderee National Park Bird List, pamphlet. 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 Armament Depot. EIS, CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Canberra. Breckwoldt, R. (1986). Identification of the places of National Estate significance in Jervis Bay and its environs. Australian Heritage Commission, Canberra. Cho, G. (1995). Jervis Bay: a place of cultural, scientific and educational value. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra. Collett, L.C., Hutchings, P.A. and Gibbs, P.J. (1984). A Comparative Study of Macrobenthic Fauna of Posidonia australis Meadows in New South Wales. Aquatic Botany, 18(1-2): 113-134. CSIRO Division of Fisheries. (1994). Jervis Bay Baseline Studies. Final Report. Doughton, R. (1973). Evolution of Jervis Bay landscape. In Jervis Bay: the Future. Australian Littoral Society, Sydney. Egloff, B. Navin, K. and Officer, K. 1995. Jervis Bay National Park and Botanic Gardens as Aboriginal Land. A final report to the Minister on the significance of the land and water in the Region of Jervis Bay Territory to indicate the appropriateness of a grant under the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986 (as amended). Egloff, B. 1981. Wreck Bay: an Aboriginal fishing community. Canberra: AIATSIS Evans, T.J. (1993). Old Bark Park Vegetation Survey. Unpublished Report. Ferrell, D. J., D.G. Worthington, S.E. McNeill, and J. D. Bell. (1992). Jervis Bay Marine Ecology Study, Final Report - Project 3: Assemblages of Fish and Macro-Invertebrates Associated with Seagrass. NSW Fisheries Research Institute, Cronulla NSW. Griffiths, R. (1984). A study of the rainforest vegetation of Beecroft Peninsula, New South Wales. B. Litt. Department of Botany, University of New England. Ingwersen F. (1976). Vegetation of the Jervis Bay Territory. Conservation Series No. 3. Department of the Capital Territory, Canberra. Jackson, Teece, Chesterman Willis, Conservation Strategy Cape St George Lighthouse, NSW NPWS, 1994. Mills, K. (1991). Wildlife Corridors in the Jervis Bay Region New South Wales. Report prepared for the New South Wales Department of Planning. Mills, K. (1992). The natural vegetation of the Jervis Bay Region of New South Wales. Report Prepared under the National Estates Grant Scheme 1990/91. NSW Fisheries. (1994). Proposed Jervis Bay Marine Reserve Draft Management Plan. Part B Resource Information. Sullivan M E (1977). Aboriginal Sites of Bherwerre Peninsula. Conservation Memorandum No.5, Conservation and Agriculture Branch of Department of the Capital Territory, Canberra. Taws, N. (1997). Vegetation Survey and Mapping of Jervis Bay Territory. Taws Botanical Research. Report to Environment Australia. Taylor, Ken The Heritage of Jervis Bay, National Trust of Australia (ACT), 1988 Ward, J.E. and Ingwersen, F. (1985). A checklist of vascular plant species in the Australian Territory of Jervis Bay. Conservation Memorandum No. 7. ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra. West, R.J. (1987). Littoral and sub-littoral habitats of Jervis Bay. Wetlands (Australia) 6(2): 48-57. Williams, G. A. (1993). Hidden Rainforests: subtropical rainforests and their invertebrate biodiversity. New South Wales University Press, Kensington. Wreck Bay Community and Renwick, C. 2000. Geebungs and Snake Whistles: Koori People and Plants of Wreck Bay. Canberra: AIATSIS. 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 03:10:57 2010