| Photographs: | None |
|---|---|
| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Natural |
| Legal Status: | Registered (21/10/1980) |
| Place ID: | 102514 |
| Place File No: | 1/11/102/0087 |
| Statement of Significance: |
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The Beecroft Peninsula is the best example of a Permian cliffed coast in New South Wales.
The area supports a high diversity of vegetation types within a small area including mangroves, saltmarsh, freshwater swamps, heathland, eucalypt forest and subtropical and littoral rainforest.
Beecroft Peninsula retains the largest area of heath remaining on the south coast of New South Wales.
This floristically rich vegetation provides important habitat for a variety of bird species, including the vulnerable ground parrot (PEZOPORUS WALLICUS).
Beecroft Peninsula occurs near the southern boundary of the Hawkesbury Sandstone geological unit.
Accordingly the place has a high number of flora and fauna species at the limit of their distribution. The subtropical and littoral rainforests of the Peninsula are floristically rich with 121 plant species recorded, including thirty nine tree species. These forests are also of biogeographical significance as remnants of the coastal rainforests that were once extensive in southern Australia. The rainforest patches contain several species at or near their southern limit of distribution; these include ribbonwood (EUROSCHINUS FALCATA var. FALCATA), brown pine (PODOCARPUS ELATUS), coast canthium (CANTHIUM COPROSMOIDES), deciduous fig (FICUS SUPERBA var. HENNEANA), flintwood (SCOLOPIA BRAUNII), celery wood (POLYSCIAS ELEGANS), and CISSUS STERCULIIFOLIA. The peninsula's rainforest flora contains a mixture of subtropical and temperate species, as such they are significant in the study of the latitudinal shift from subtropical to temperate forests. Although these patches are small in size, together they make up a viable ecological unit and provide an important habitat for fauna restricted to forests of this type. This is important in an area where subtropical and littoral rainforest have generally been cleared. The littoral rainforest behind Long Beach is a well preserved example of rainforest on sand, this type of vegetation is now rare in New South Wales. Beecroft Peninsular supports two flora species that are listed as vulnerable both nationally and in New South Wales, the coastal shrub PROSTANTHERA DENSA and the magenta lilly pilly (SYZYGIUM PANICULATUM). The place supports 35 bird species listed on international migratory bird treaties (JAMBA, CAMBA, and the Bonn Convention). The ground parrot (PEZOPORUS WALLICUS), which is listed as vulnerable in New South Wales, occurs in heath, swamp and sedgeland habitats and has an estimated maximum population size of 450 individuals on the peninsula. The powerful owl (NINOX STRENUA), which is listed as vulnerable in New South Wales, has been recorded on the western side of the peninsular. Other species listed as vulnerable in New South Wales that occur in the place include the large-footed myotis (MYOTIS MACROPUS), the pied oystercatcher (HAEMATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS), the sooty oystercatcher (HAEMATOPUS FULIGINOSUS), the glossy black cockatoo (CALYPTORHYNCHUS LATHAMI), and the masked owl (TYTO NOVAEHOLLANDIAE). The common scaly-foot (PYGOPUS LEPIDOPODUS), a legless lizard, occurs on the peninsula, this species is recognised as the most primitive of the legless lizards and has strong Gondwanic associations. Point Perpendicular Lightstation ( listed at Register No. 001619), erected in 1899, is of particular historical importance as the documentary evidence suggests that the lighthouse represents the culmination of research and experiment by the Colonial Architects Office into building methods readily adaptable to the materials available on site. The Lighthouse shows an innovative use of precast concrete and was the first constructed using this technique. (Australian Historic Themes: 3.8 Moving goods and people) The area of Commonwealth land on the Beecroft Peninsula at Jervis Bay is of particular significance to the Jerinja and Wreck Bay Aboriginal communities as part of their traditions. Their stories describe the movement of ancestral beings, including Bundoola, Spandula, the Bip Bip women and others, as they formed the landscape, people and the law. The Beecroft Hill area, the Devils Hole area, The Drum and Drumsticks area and the Duck Hole area form part of these stories while the southern part of Jervis Bay has strong cultural associations for women. The stories of the activities of ancestral beings create links with neighbouring regions and Aboriginal people with traditional links to the area say that Jervis Bay is the birthplace of the thirteen tribes of the south coast. There are a large numbers of middens mainly located near the beaches on the southern and western sides of the Peninsular that contain evidence of past patterns of Aboriginal exploitation of marine resources. They form part of the continuing tradition of marine resource use among the Wreck Bay and Jerinja Aboriginal communities. Other sites providing evidence of past Aboriginal activity in the area include rockshelters with occupation debris, artefact scatters, grinding grooves ceremonial grounds and rock shelters with paintings and stencils on the walls. Some of the stylistic elements in the paintings are unique and a number of the motifs can be interpreted by members of the Jerinja Aboriginal community in the context of their traditional stories. |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
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Beecroft Peninsula is a remnant of a Permian sandstone and siltstone plateau, overlain with Tertiary and Quaternary sand and gravel deposits.
The eastern coast consists of almost continuous cliffs, rising up to 91 m at Point Perpendicular.
Erosional processes have created caves, blowholes, small peninsulas, clefts, arches, and stacks such as the Drum and Drumsticks.
The western coast dips gently into the bay with several low cliffs and sandy beaches. The vegetation of Beecroft Peninsula is diverse, with 573 species occurring in eight major and 27 minor vegetation types. Heathland dominated by heath banksia (BANKSIA ERICIFOLIA) and scrub she oak (ALLOCASUARINA DISTYLA) occurs over approximately 50 % of the peninsula. Other heath communities dominated by narrow-leaved bottlebrush (CALLISTEMON LINEARIS) and LEPIDOSPERMA FILIFORME are restricted to the northwest. Shrubland communities are dominated by scrub she oak, heath banksia, tick bush (KUNZEA AMBIGUA) and LEPTOSPERMUM EPACRIDOIDEUM. The regionally uncommon scrub she oak shrubland is widespread on the peninsula. Open forest communities dominated by several eucalypts, rough barked apple (ANGOPHORA FLORIBUNDA) and black she oak (ALLOCASUARINA LITTORALIS) are restricted to deep soils in sheltered positions. There are three forest communities; swamp oak (CASUARINA GLAUCA) forest, littoral rainforest, and turpentine (SYNCARPA GLOMULIFERA) forest restricted to a single site at the head of Plutus Creek. Woodland communities dominated by bloodwood, silvertop ash (EUCALYPTUS SIEBERI), coast tea-tree (LEPTOSPERMUM LAEVIGATUM), LEPTOSPERMUM TRINERVIUM and saw banksia (BANKSIA SERRATA) are associated with sand dunes. Swamp communities dominated by jointed twig-rush (BAUMEA ARTICULATA), swamp paper-bark (MELALEUCA ERICIFOLIA) and common reed (PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS) occur in depressions adjacent to creeks. A small area of grey mangrove (AVICENNIA MARINA) occurs near Chinaman's Beach. A sedgeland dominated by slender twine-rush (LEPTOCARPUS TENAX) and PTILOTHIRIX DEUSTA is restricted to the western portion of the impact area. Twenty-three mammal species have been recorded on the peninsula, including three species of macropod and eight species of bat including the vulnerable large footed myotis (MYOTIS MACROPUS). The population of the long-nosed bandicoot (PARAMELES NASUTA) is recovering in response to fox control. 126 bird species have been recorded, including 12 species of honeyeater and a breeding pair of powerful owls (NINOX STRENUA). Thirty-five bird species are protected by international bird treaties (JAMBA, CAMBA and the Bonn Convention), including the spine-tailed swift (HIRUNDAPUS CAUDACUTUS) and the short-tailed shearwater (PUFFINUS TENUIROSTRIS). The nationally vulnerable eastern bristlebird (DASYORNIS BRACHYPTERUS) may occur on the peninsula. Nineteen species of terrestrial reptile have been recorded, including six species of skink and six snake species, including the death adder (ACATHOPHIS ANTERCTICUS), which may be declining in southern New South Wales. Twelve species of amphibian have been recorded from streams and swampy areas. Point Perpendicular Lightstation (separately listed at Register No. 001619) includes the circular tower, residences and ancillary structures which are constructed of precast concrete block masonry. Designed in 1896, the complex was built in 1899, the first in New South Wales to be constructed of precast concrete blocks employing sandstone aggregate from the site. One of three such complexes designed by Public Works Department staff member Charles Assinder Harding. Archaeological evidence demonstrates that Aboriginal occupation of the Beecroft Peninsula extends back at least 7,000 years. This undoubtedly underestimates the time that Aboriginal people have lived in the area because radiocarbon dates obtained from coastal sites elsewhere in New South Wales demonstrate occupation during the Pleistocene. Despite the disruption resulting from two centuries of European occupation, members of the Wreck Bay and Jerinja Aboriginal communities have maintained their traditional knowledge about the area, its landscape and the activities of their ancestral beings as they formed the land and formulated the law. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
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The vegetation on Beecroft Peninsula has remained in relatively good condition. Very little of the site has been cleared; small clearings occur near Point Perpendicular, Duck Hole, and the Ranger Station. The peninsula has a long history of use for military exercises. The impact area encompasses the eastern half of the peninsula, from south of Blacks Cave Creek to north of Crocodile Head. Many secondary vehicular tracks have become severely eroded following major rains in 1998. Side tracks have been created through heath communities in places where original roads have become impassible. Some of the impassible tracks have been closed and rehabilitated. Other areas with erosion problems include the camping area at Honeymoon Bay and part of Chinaman's Beach. The erosion of Chinaman's Beach has been determined to be a natural process and there has been no intervention to slow the process. Very few weed species occur on the peninsula; a total of only 23 species. Major weed species include SENECIA MADAGASCARIENSIS, PROTASPARAGUS AETHIOPUCUS, and KALANCHOE TUBIFLORA. Five species of feral mammal have been recorded, including the red fox (VULPES VULPES), feral cat (FELIS CATTUS), black rat (RATTUS RATTUS), rabbit (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) and house mouse (MUS DOMESTICUS). The fox population appears to have been reduced through a regular baiting program. (April 2001). |
| Location: |
| About 4040ha south of the town of Currarong, being all of the land owned or leased by the Commonwealth Government on the Beecroft Peninsula, being approximately the area bounded by a line commencing at the intersection high water mark (HWM) on Chinamans Beach with AMG northing 6123450mN (approximate AMG point 97072345), then proceeding southerly, easterly and northerly via HWM to its intersection with AMG northing 6121770mN (approximate point 02732177), then directly to the left bank of Blacks Cave Creek at AMG northing 6121850mN (approximate AMG point 01602186), then north-westerly via the left bank of Blacks Cave Creek to its junction with Currarong Creek, then westerly via the left bank of Currarong Creek to its intersection with AMG easting 300250mE (approximate AMG point 00252242), then directly to the south side of Currarong Road at AMG easting 300120mE, then westerly via the southern side of Currarong Road to its intersection with AMG easting 298250mE (approximate AMG point 98252445), then directly via straight lines connecting the following AMG points 97322320, 97272333 and the point of commencement. |
| Bibliography: |
|
Adam, P. (1987). New South Wales Rainforests: the nomination for the World Heritage List. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney. Australian Geological Survey Organisation (1995). Geoscience and environmental map of Jervis Bay Territory and Beecroft Peninsula. Australian Geological Survey, Canberra. Baker, J. (1996). Strategy for conservation and management of the ground parrot and eastern brisltebird populations at Nadgee Nature Reserve, NSW Jervis Bay National Park and Beecroft Peninsula. Report to New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service and Australian Nature Conservation Agency. Coombes, D. (2000). Assessment of the Powerful Owl on Beecroft Peninsula, Jervis Bay, New South Wales. Report prepared for the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. Daly, G. (1996). Reptiles and amphibians of Beecroft Peninsula. Report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency and the Department of Defence (RAN). Department of Defence, Defence Estate Organisation (1999). Beecroft Peninsula Environmental Management Plan. Doughton, R. (1973). Evolution of Jervis Bay landscape. In Jervis Bay: the Future. Australian Littoral Society, Sydney. Egloff, B; Officer, K & Navin,K. 1995. 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 Terrritory) Act 1986 (as amended), Unpublished Report for Minister of Territories, Canberra Evans, T.J. (1993). Old Bark Park Vegetation Survey. Unpublished Report. HelmanMcKenzie, A. 1871. Specimens of Native Australian Languages. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 3., C. (1979). A study of the rainforest vegetation of Beecroft Peninsula, New South Wales. Unpublished B. Letters Thesis, Botany Department, University of New England. Kevin Mills and Associates (1993) Management strategy for littoral rainforest, Beecroft Peninsula, Jervis Bay. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra. Mills, K. (1993). The natural vegetation of the Jervis Bay region of New South Wales. National Estates Grant Scheme 1990/91, NSW Heritage Assistance Program. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. (1984). A study of the natural environment of Jervis Bay. Submission to Shoalhaven City Council, Nowra. Robinson, R. (1977) The Man Who Sold his Dreaming. Rigby. Shea, G 1993 Family Pygopodidae. Pages 234-39 in Glasby, CJ, Ross, GJB, and Beesley, PL (eds) (1993). Fauna of Australia. Vol 2A Amphibia and Reptilia. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. Skelton, N. and Adam, P. (1994). Beecroft Peninsula Vegetation Survey. Report for Australian Nature Conservation Agency and the Department of Defence. Southern RFA Response to Disturbance Project, Commonwealth and NSW Governments, 1999. Williams, G. A. (1993). Hidden Rainforests: subtropical rainforests and their invertebrate biodiversity. New South Wales University Press, Kensington. |
Report Produced: Wed Feb 10 03:11:26 2010