PIPELINES & CONSTRUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE
Transcript of PIPELINES & CONSTRUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE
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Phone: 03 62789598
Mobile: 0408561934
Email:
21a Seymour st
New Town
Hobart
Tas.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES
TASMANIA
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SERVICES TASMANIA
PROPOSED LONG REACH PULP MILL
PIPELINES & CONSTRUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT
FINAL REPORT.
Freehills doc 004755823
A report to Gunns Limited
Parry Kostoglou
November, 2005.
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CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION 3
1.1 Background 3
1.2 Location and extent of survey area 3
1.3 Summary of cultural environment 4
1.4 Objectives 4
1.5 Methodology 7
1.6 Summary of site based sources 7
1.7 Previously known sites within impact area 8
2.0 SUMMARY OF RESULTS 9
2.1 Sites located during survey 9
2.2 Summary statement of cultural significance 10
3.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 11
3.1 Site specific recommendations 11
3.2 General recommendations 11
4.0 PREDICTIVE MODELLING 12
4.1 High probability 12
4.2 Medium probability 12
4.3 Low probability 12
5.0 SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL HISTORIC THEMES 15
5.1 Exploration and settlement (1805-1820) 15
5.2 Pastoralism 16
5.3 Orcharding 16
5.4 Transportation/communication 17
5.5 Timber harvesting 17
5.6 Industrial developments 18
6.0 SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT 19
6.1 Significance assessment criteria 19
6.2 Significance assessment design 19
6.3 Nominations of sites for statutory registers 20
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7.0 SITES/FEATURES LOCATED WITHIN PROPOSED IMPACT AREA 21
7.1 Proposed waste water pipeline and Low Head construction camp 21
7.2 Existing Alinta gas Pipeline 23
7.3 Proposed water pipeline 25
8.0 REFERENCES 38
9.0 APPENDIX MAPS 39
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This section summarises the origin and scope of this investigation in addition to the various
sources accessed by the consultant in order to determine relevant historic site identities and
locations.
1.1 Background
As a part of its commercial operations, Gunns Limited is investigating the possibility of
constructing a new pulp mill facility on private property immediately northwest of its existing
mill at Long Reach in the East Tamar Region of Tasmania. In addition to the pulp mill
complex itself, the project will entail the construction of feed water and waste water pipelines
in addition to lesser infrastructure related to the construction of these entities. In accordance
with its statutory environmental obligations, Gunns Limited has accordingly commissioned
this historic cultural heritage assessment in order to establish if any historic sites of any
significance occur within proximity to the proposed pipeline corridors or related construction
sites as described in section 1.2 below. The following report therefore details all findings and
recommendations related to the historic cultural heritage resource likely to be impacted by the
proposed pipelines and related infrastructure.
1.2 Location and extent of survey area
The area containing all proposed infrastructure is situated in the East Tamar region of north
eastern Tasmania. This region is bounded by the city of Launceston in the south and the
townships of George Town and Low Head in the north. Its western boundary is delineated by
the east bank of the Tamar River while to the east the associated river plains country through
which the development foot print passes, is bounded by three elevated ranges; the
Tippogoree Hills, Dismal Range and Boomer Hills. A map appearing as Figure 1 overleaf
shows the relevant area within the broader context of north central Tasmania. More
specifically, the proposed infrastructure covered by this investigation includes:
• A 43 kilometre long pipeline delivering clean feed water from Lake Trevallyn south of
Launceston to the proposed mill site at Long Reach.
• A 17 kilometre long pipeline discharging waste water from the proposed mill site at
Longreach into Bass Strait some four kilometres west of Low Head.
• A 2 kilometre long gas pipeline proceeding south westerly from the Bell Bay thermal
power station to the proposed mill site.
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• A one kilometre long section of gas pipeline to be laid within the existing Alinta
pipeline easement beside Donovans Bay immediately north west of the Bell Bay
thermal power station.
• A pipeline construction camp on the southern outskirts of George Town
• A pipeline construction camp at Four Mile Point west of Low Head.
A map appearing as Figure 2 overleaf shows the specific locations and extents of these
various proposed works.
1.3 Summary of Cultural environment
The area comprising the proposed development footprint is a composite landscape
containing the following environments:
• Coast and associated heath
• Estuarine foreshore/dry woodland
• Inland dry forest
• Cleared pasture and orchards
Due to varying historic land use patterns and associated degrees of impact, these
environments have varying levels of cultural sensitivity.
The resident foreshore and coastal heath at Four Mile Bluff east of Low Head has historically
seen little development apart from coastal grazing associated with the resident pastoral
properties. Therefore, the paucity of activities has been further expressed in the poor diversity
and low number of historic sites/features.
In contrast, the estuarine foreshore and associated dry woodland alongside the East Tamar
river bank contains numerous historic sites associated with unofficial settlement by
fishermen/boat builders dating from the mid 19th century. These sites include settlements
containing the remains of houses, dump sites, wells and garden walls in addition to waterside
stone arrangements related to boat storage and passage.
The inland dry forest and occasional patches of wet forest have been selectively logged since
the early to mid 20th century as a precursor to the establishment of the current resident
pastoral holdings. However there is no evidence that any other activities pre date such timber
harvesting activities.
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Cleared land for pastoral and agricultural purposes dating from between the late 19th century
to the present, comprises a large percentage of the proposed impact foot print. Due to the
intensive nature of clearance, the only tangible cultural heritage is that associated with the
resident activities themselves (i.e. pastoralism, agriculture).
Figure 1. Map showing north central Tasmania and the East Tamar region.
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Figure 2. Map showing location of various proposed developments comprising the survey area.
George Town construction camp
Four Mile Bluff Construction camp
Waste water pipeline
Gas pipeline
2nd mill site (see separate reports)
Water pipeline
Existing Alinta gas pipeline
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1.4 Objectives
The stated verbal objectives at the project briefing required the consultant to:
� Undertake a desktop review of all relevant land management agency data bases in
order to establish the location and nature of known historic sites in proximity to the
proposed developments.
� Undertake field work throughout the various proposed developments corridors/areas in
order to locate, record and assess all resident historic sites.
� Provide a report detailing the results of both the desktop assessment and field work in
addition to management recommendations for any sites discovered within the proposed
development areas.
1.5 Methodology
The consultant undertook an initial two day desktop review of all relevant land management
agency data bases and related contemporary and historic maps held by the Lands Titles
Office (Lands Department) in order to determine potential historic site types and locations.
Fieldwork was then undertaken over a thirteen day period during which the consultant and a
field assistant traversed the various proposed linear pipeline corridors and discrete
construction camp venues. All historic sites encountered were recorded photographically and
descriptions annotated in a field note book. The location of each site was pin pointed using a
hand held GPS (global positioning system) unit. This report was subsequently written over a
five day period.
1.6 Summary of site based sources
The table appearing overleaf summarises the various agency data bases and other sources
consulted for site based information prior to the commencement of field work. Although this
preliminary desk top assessment failed to yield any known historic sites within immediate
proximity to the various development foot prints, several sites were identified in the vicinity of
George Town and Low Head townships which placed them within five kilometres of one of the
pipeline corridors. These sites are referred to in Section 1.7 overleaf.
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Agency/Source Data base/document Historic sites
identified
DTPHA Tasmanian Historic Places Inventory
(THPI)
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DTPHA State Heritage Register 0
DTPHA Various Lands Titles 0
Mineral Resources Tasmania MIRLOC 0
Mineral Resources Tasmania Discontinued/archived County Charts 0
Australian Heritage Commission Register of National Estate (RNE) 9
Forest Practices Board Archaeological Site register 0
State Archives Office Various historic maps 0
1.7 Previously known sites near impact area
The table below summarises all sites identified by the various statutory data bases as being
situated within five kilometres of the proposed development foot print.
No. Site name Source Site number Action required
1 George Town Female Factory THPI 8215: 058 None
2 George Town Military Barracks THPI 8215: 065 None
3 George Town public work gang barracks THPI 8215: 061 None
4 George Town Cemetery RNE 12617 None
5 Mount George Signal Station THPI 8215: 057 None
6 Low Head Light Station THPI
RNE
8215:071
12605
None
7 Low Head settlement RNE 12627 None
8 Marion Villa (Low Head) RNE 12619 None
9 Former cable station (Low Head) RNE 12625 None
10 Edwardian House (Low Head) RNE 12609 None
11 Northern Leading Light cottages (Low
Head)
RNE 12607 None
12 Southern Leading Light cottages (Low
Head)
RNE 12621 None
13 Pilot Station (Low Head) RNE 12623 None
14 Windermere Petrol Pump THPI 8215: 055 None
15 East Tamar Watch House THPI 8215:067 None
16 St. Mathia Church, Windermere THPI 8215:056 None
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2.0 SUMMARY OF RESULTS
This section seeks to summarise the total suite of sites located/recorded during this survey
and their varying levels of cultural significance.
2.1 Sites located during survey
The following table summarises the identity and significance of all sites located/recorded
during this survey. Their locations are marked on the 1:25,000 scale maps appearing in the
Appendix section of this report.
Site
No.
Site name AMG grid
reference
Related
pipeline
Significance
rating
Recommendations
01 East Arm linear stones E 0496822
N 5439796
Water Medium Protect from
impacts
02 East Arm stone line E 0496820
N 5439924
Water Medium Protect from
impacts
03 Doctors Creek deco
bridge
E 0504059
N 5427981
Water Medium Protect from
impacts
04 Hawthorn windbreak E 0504413
N 5426050
Water Low None made
05 Radiata pine
windbreak
E 0504632
N 5425768
Water Minimal None made
06 Macrocarpa pine
hedge
0506007
N 5424320
Water Low None made
07 Lees Orchard apple
shed
E 0507865
N 5422506
Water Low None made
08 Macrocarpa pine
property boundary
E 0508830
N 5419111
Water Low None made
09 Stephenson’s Bend
Sea wall
E 0510589
N 5415339
Water Low None made
10 Stephenson’s Jetty E 0510495
N5415287
Water Medium Protect from impact
11 Riverside Hydro pipe E 0508592
N 5413341
Water Medium Protect from impact
12 Bell Bay mile post E 0491609
N 5445806
Water Low None made
13 Lake Trevallyn hydro
footings
E 0507256
N 5411382
Water Medium Protect from impact
14 Donovans Bay linear
stones 1
E 0491534
N 5445602
Alinta gas Medium Protect from impact
15 Donovans Bay linear
stones 2
E 0491358
N 5445731
Alinta gas Medium Protect from impact
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16 Four Mile Bluff wire
fence
E 0588408
N 5457521
Waste
water
Minimal None made
17 Four Mile Bluff disc
plough
E 0588367
N 5457480
Waste
water
Minimal None made
2.2 Summary statement of cultural significance
Given these varying environment specific cultural significance thresholds, it seems that
overall, the lands contained within the proposed development foot print are of Low Cultural
Significance and do not merit any more substantive consideration. The only notable
exception in this regard is the estuarine foreshore/dry woodland associated with the east
bank of the Tamar River which has been consistently found during this and other relevant
field work to contain a number of significant mid 19th century historic sites in a relatively good
state of preservation. Therefore, in contrast to the other landscapes described in section 1.3,
the historic cultural significance of this landscape is deemed to be High.
View of tidal foreshore and associated dry woodland typical of the East Tamar
coastline which was found to host several mid 19th century sites of significance.
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3.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
The following site specific and generic recommendations are made in regard to the
management of historic cultural heritage at the proposed development site.
3.1 Site specific recommendations
The following site specific recommendations are applicable to the proposed development foot
print.
• Protect East Arm sites
Two linear stone arrangements were located on the foreshore at East Arm. These sites and
any like them should be protected from any development related impact.
• Protect Donovans Bay sites
Two linear stone arrangements were likewise located on the foreshore at Donovans Bay.
These sites and any like them should be protected from any development related impact.
• Protect Doctors Creek road bridge
This intact Art Deco style concrete bridge should be protected from all impact.
• Protect Riverside Hydro infrastructure
This surge tunnel/underground pipeline forms a working part of the original Trevallyn HEC
dam construction.
• Protect hydro footings beside Lake Trevallyn
These concrete footings beside the Lake Trevallyn dam sub station are intact archaeological
vestiges of the original HEC Trevallyn dam construction. It should accordingly be protected
from all impacts.
3.2 General recommendations
The consultant surveyed all parts of the various pipeline routes, and it is therefore unlikely
that any features were overlooked. However, although it is considered unlikely that any
further sites will be discovered, this must be anticipated. It is further recommended that the
relevant statutory bodies be consulted immediately in the event that any sites or features are
found during on site preparation/development. In order to better clarify the likelihood of any
new sites being discovered, a predictive modelling summary appears in section 4.0 overleaf.
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4.0 PREDICTIVE MODELLING
All proposed pipeline routes and infrastructure foot prints were examined by this consultant.
However, the probabilities of encountering culturally significant material as described in this
section would apply to any deviations made to the current proposal. A map appearing below
summarises the varying probability of finding historic sites throughout the impact area. Three
levels of probability are deemed applicable. This ranges from Low/Minimal probability in
which the area is considered to be essentially devoid of any significant historic sites, through
to High probability in which the likelihood of finding significant sites is considered all but
inevitable if any deviation from the current development foot print is made. Figure 3 overleaf
shows these various areas superimposed over the development foot print.
4.1 High probability
Given ample precedent during survey work associated with the proposed second mill
property at Long Reach, the coastal riverine environment is deemed to be the area most
likely to host significant historic sites within the context of the development foot print. In
addition to serving as the major commercial thoroughfare for the city of Launceston and
surrounding communities throughout the 19th century, the Tamar River supported a
substantial population of people who subsisted on the river itself by fishing, boat building and
pursuing small scale coastal agricultural and pastoral enterprises. Given that maritime access
remained the most ready means of movement and the conveyance of goods until the post
war completion of the East Tamar Highway, occupancy of the Tamar River foreshore
remained substantial until this time.
4.2 Medium Probability
The dry woodland and occasional taller wet forest which covers some of the development
foot print (i.e. Tippogoree Hills) would in many other scenarios be expected to host an
abundance of historic sites relating to such themes as timber getting, snaring, trapping or
mining. However, due no doubt to problems of access and lack of existing resources, the
resident forest did not become subject to any major sustained commercial activities until the
mid 20th century when some selective logging was undertaken. Given the brief and
rudimentary nature of this logging (selective logging and recovery by truck), historic vestiges
are limited to tree stumps and snig tracks.
4.3 Low/Minimal probability
Inland areas subject to extensive clearance for pasture or orchards are obviously localities
where few if any resident historic sites would be expected to survive unless they were
considered worthy of retention and re use by the farmer. This would seem unlikely and the
only sites of significance would therefore be expected to post date the land clearance. Such
sites would therefore be agricultural in nature and include farm buildings and related
infrastructure.
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Figure 3. Map indicating probability of locating new
sites in vicinity of development foot print.
LEGEND
High probability
Medium probability
Low/Minimal probability
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5.0 SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL HISTORIC THEMES
This section summarises the principal historic themes and related activities known to have
occurred in the vicinity of the survey area between initial Aboriginal/European contact and the
present.
5.1 Exploration and settlement (1805-1820)
According to Ryan (1996), the region’s original inhabitants were the Leterremairrener (Port
Dalrymple) band which comprised part of the North Midlands tribe. Each of the five
constituent bands in the tribe comprised between 60-80 people, and they collectively
occupied a territory running from Port Dalrymple in the north to St. Peters Pass in the
midlands. The Port Dalrymple people spent winter in their own territory before moving in
spring to the Ben Lomond Tier for the summer, and undertook trade with neighbouring bands
during their travels. In late January, they returned home once more in order to be ready for
the mutton bird season. Due to their situation on the Tamar estuary, this band suffered early
at the hands of white settlers who established some of their earliest outposts at York Town
and Port Dalrymple in 1805/06.
Some European visitation, however transient, had occurred prior to this period. In late
November 1798, the explorers Bass and Flinders navigated up the Tamar River as a part of
their voyage designed to prove the separation of Van Diemen’s Land from the Australian
mainland. An incidental result of this diversion was the naming of ‘Long Reach’ and other
nearby promontories such as ‘Point Rapide’ by the intrepid pair. The first European
settlement occurred in 1805, when Colonel William Paterson established a cattle grazing
station at Point Rapid(e) as part of the northern region’s first European settlement at
Yorktown after the cattle failed to thrive at that locality. In 1812, Governor Lachlan Macquarie
established George Town as a proposed new northern capital for the colony. The first official
land sub division and settlement outside of George Town did not occur until 1817. However,
local historians imply that unofficial squatters camps had spread up river prior to that date and
these presumably were the sole European occupational presence along the river until the
early 1830s when the riverside acreages were initially surveyed and sold off by the Crown. A
notable if short term visitation to the East Tamar River at this time was made by the naval
frigate HMS Beagle, whose crew beached the vessel at Long Reach and careened her
bottom before completing their global voyage of scientific discovery.
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Colonial view of George Town.
5.2 Pastoralism
The earliest known land purchases in the East Tamar region occurred in the George Town
vicinity soon after its establishment. The granting of land and its clearance appears to have
spread southward and by 1834, grants were made for land at Big Bay and Donovans Bay
(the location of the Bell Bay thermal power station). By 1840, the land around Long Reach
had been sub divided into similar 640 acre allotments and selected by William Effingham
Lawrence who established a large homestead and pastoral property at Point Effingham which
stretched from George Town south to East Arm. At the same time, settlement from the
Launceston end of the Tamar River inexorably proceeded northwards ensuring that all
coastal land between George Town and Launceston had been surveyed and acquired by the
1860s. Settlement from Low Head also proceeded eastward along the north coast, creating
another patch work of 640 acre lots after the passing of the Crown Land Act of 1834. The
period between c1870 and c1900 saw the large number of original land grants coalesced into
a smaller number of holdings. This is typified by coastal land between George Town and East
Arm, which was acquired by the Archer Family who built their homestead ‘Lauriston’ at the
site of the present golf course at this time.
5.3 Orcharding
Although the first commercial orchard was planted in 1829, major commercial production of
apples did not commence until the early 1860s. The first commercial export of apples to
United Kingdom from Beauty Point in 1883 began the true boom period of the Tasmanian fruit
industry. As a result, orchards were established throughout the East Tamar on most private
land until after the Second World War when growing pressures from the European Common
Market forced a sharp and inexorable decline in production.
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5.4 Transportation/communication
Transport and communication throughout the region was initially conducted almost
exclusively offshore via the Tamar River. Although rough bridle tracks were privately
established to connect some of the larger holdings, the first public infrastructure was not
introduced until the 1830s. The first major project only allowed for remote communications
employing an overland signals service between Low Head and Launceston. This required the
construction of signal stations at Mounts George and Communication, which were first
erected in 1835. The first overland roading was completed in 1837 and the resulting coach
road saw services between George Town and Launceston commence in 1838. Similar
connecting services by sea must have pre dated this period. However, the first river steamer
service commenced in 1858, presumably displacing sail based traffic. The increase in
steamer traffic from local ports and beyond that accompanied the state’s mineral based
economic boom in the 1870s saw the Tamar Estuary dredged, and other capital works
begun. The so called ‘Tamar Cut’ at Launceston which was commenced in the 1920s to
improve navigation was a notable example. The fact that it was never completed possibly
indicates the growing redundancy of the river as a transport hub for the state.
5.5 Timber harvesting
Limited private timber harvesting for boat timber and building construction accompanied the
first settlement at York Town in 1804/05. This process was mimicked throughout the East
Tamar as settlers spread throughout the estuary before turning inland. Early demand was
found for wattle bark to supply the tanneries at Launceston, in addition to specialty timber for
colonial furniture makers and builders. Large scale commercial timber harvesting and milling
however remained limited until the 1840s. In 1841, Mr William Jones built a sawmill at Mount
Direction and a Dr. Matthias Gaunt built another mill at Windermere shortly after. The 1850s
Victorian gold rush saw the colony’s first great export boom for timber and bush operations
increased accordingly. The discovery of gold at nearby Lefroy in 1869 saw a large local
demand for firewood and mine timber in addition to construction materials which prevailed
until the closure of that field by c1902.
The early 20th century saw a protracted diminution in timber harvesting. Production prior to
the Second World War was limited to small scale spot milling operations, which provided
case timber for the local apple industry using the regrowth forest regenerating from large
scale 19th century logging. Two parcels of forest in the Tippogoree Hills were declared State
forest by the Crown, and private Exclusive Forest Permits were issued to log this. For
example, Kilndried Hardwoods Inc. worked sections of these forests until the 1970s when the
advent of large scale clear felling for pulp wood purposes saw an effective end to selective
logging activities.
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Post war (c1946) County Chart showing composite mosaic of State forest and pastoral
freehold in northern vicinity of proposed mill site.
5.6 Major industrial developments
The Colonial government had attempted to sponsor regional economic development as early
as the 1820s, when a convict ‘Female Factory’ was established at George Town expressly to
produce fabrics and clothing for the colony. However, substantive government sponsored
industrialisation had to wait another 120 years until the Bell Bay site was developed by the
Crown as a premier industrial estate for aluminium production in 1950. In due course, the
Comalco facility, Temco plant and Bell Bay power station were established. The Four Mile
Creek Wildlife Sanctuary was proclaimed over remaining coastal land which included Long
Reach and the adjacent subject allotment in 1958. Meanwhile, in the foothills south of
Launceston, the Hydro Electric Commission was constructing the Trevallyn tunnel and
associated dam impoundment which would harness hydro electric power from nearby
catchments for regional commercial purposes. In 1972, the Long Reach woodchip mill and
the Bell Bay railway line were constructed and all of these facilities have operated to the
present day.
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6.0 SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT DESIGN
This section summarises the various assessment criteria used in the assessment of historic
sites and the collective application of these to individual sites in order to determine their
relative significance.
6.1 Significance assessment criteria
The values used in significance assessment have been ratified in the Australia ICOMOS
Charter for the conservation of Places and Cultural Significance or Burra Charter. The
charter's definition of a place is a broad one, covering buildings, areas, sites and structures
together with their affiliated contents and surroundings. In order to address such a broad
range of sites, this protocol further defines the four sources of cultural significance as historic,
scientific/technological, aesthetic and social value. Two of these are deemed to be applicable
to sites in the study area.
� The historic value of a site or place is related to the story behind its establishment,
evolution and abandonment. Factors in this 'history' which may affect its significance can
include an association with a famous person, activity or event. A site's comparative age
and the length and intensity of its use may also be considered significant.
� Scientific/technological value relates to the processes or artefacts of technology manifested
by a site or feature. These may be unusual, novel or ambitious which serves to contrast
them with similar sites and increase their significance accordingly.
6.2 Significance assessment design
There are various models available for the professional to establish an assessment system
for a specific survey. Some models apply numerical or fractional values to significance, while
others attribute brief single sentence statements. For the purpose of this survey, the following
model has been used.
A site is considered to be of High Significance if it:
* reflects an important part of the history of Australia or Tasmania.
* is unique or an outstanding example of its type.
* is considered to be of importance to the wider Tasmanian community.
A site is considered to be of Medium Significance if it:
* would increase our understanding of the history of a region.
* is a very good example of its type.
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* is considered to be of importance to the local community.
A site is considered to be of Low Significance if it:
* does not refer to any significant historical event.
* is not well preserved.
A site is considered to be of Minimal Significance if it:
*has no known historical association
*is very poorly preserved.
This model has been deemed the most applicable to this assessment because:
� It is readily understandable to all target audiences regardless of their familiarity with
cultural heritage management practices.
� Use of this model in several previous assessments has been specifically endorsed by
the former Cultural Heritage Section of the former DPIWE.
� This model utilises a series of weightings that are unambiguous in regard to both their
significance and requisite implications to the client.
6.3 Nomination of sites for statutory protective registers
Sites of exceptional significance at a regional, state or federal level may be protected by laws
or other legislative protocols such as significant site registers. For example, the register of the
National Estate is a federal protocol which highlights listed sites and hopefully prevents their
damage until extensive review processes regarding the development have been undertaken.
The Tasmanian Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 also allows for listing at the State level,
whereby a site can be directly protected by legislation from any damage or development. No
sites examined during this assessment are deemed to relevant to any of these statutory
processes.
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7.0 SITES/FEATURES LOCATED WITHIN PROPOSED IMPACT AREAThe following section is a tabular summary of the sites located during this survey. Each
constituent sub section relates to the various proposed infrastructure components comprising
this development within which historic sites were actually located.
7.1 Proposed waste water pipeline and Low Head construction camp.
This project requires the construction of a 17 kilometre long pipeline which will discharge
waste water from the proposed mill site at Longreach into Bass Strait some four kilometres
west of Low Head. The pipeline’s assembly will require the establishment of a construction
camp at Four Mile Point west of Low Head. The following two sites were recorded within the
footprint of this proposed development. .
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Four Mile Bluff wire fence Site number: 16
Location: E 0588408
N 5457521
Land tenure:
Private property
Historic theme:
Pastoralism
Description of remains: A sequence of three in situ hand split hardwood fence posts each
measuring between 2-300mm wide and 1250-1400mm high. Continuous rolled wire strands
remain attached with galvanised ‘U’ patent tacks.
Interpretation of site: Mid 20th century pastoral fence line.
Significance: Minimal Significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing one of the fence posts.
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HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Four Mile Bluff disc plough Site number: 17
Location: E 0588367
N 5457480
Land tenure:
Private property
Historic theme:
Agriculture
Description of remains: An Abandoned tractor pulled disc plough unit measuring 2800 x
1950mm in dimension.
Interpretation of site: Mid 20th century patent tractor disc plough
Significance: Minimal Significance
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing abandoned plough.
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7.2 Existing Alinta gas Pipeline
This project requires the construction of a one kilometre long section of gas pipeline to be laid
within the existing Alinta pipeline easement beside Donovans Bay immediately north west of
the Bell Bay thermal power station.
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Donovans Bay linear stones 1 Site number: 14
Location: E 0491534
N 5445602
Land tenure: Coastal Reserve Historic theme:
Coastal occupation
Description of remains: A 3500 x 850 x 250mm high linear stacked stone wall situated
adjacent to an intertidal rock outcrop. Fragments of dark olive green bottle glass (case gin
bottle c1870’s) were found nearby on the foreshore.
Interpretation of site: Linear stacked stones for unknown purpose. Most probably 19th
century in origin if nearby bottle glass is related to feature.
Significance: Medium Significance
Recommendations: Protect from all impacts
Photograph showing linear stacked stone.
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HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Donovans Bay linear stones 2 Site number: 15
Location: E 0491358
N 5445731
Land tenure: Coastal Reserve Historic theme:
Coastal occupation
Description of remains: An ‘L’ shaped formation of stacked stones measuring 11000 x 450
x 200mm in height. This feature is situated in intertidal mud.
Interpretation of site: Linear stacked stones for unknown purpose. Possible Fish trap?
Significance: Medium Significance
Recommendations: Protect from all impacts
Photograph showing stone formation.
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7.3 Proposed water pipeline
This proposal will involve the construction of a 43 kilometre long pipeline delivering clean feed
water from Lake Trevallyn south of Launceston to the proposed mill site at Long Reach. The
following twelve sites were located in proximity to the development foot print.
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: East Arm linear stones Site number: 01
Location: E 0496822
N 5439796
Land tenure: Coastal Reserve Historic theme:
Coastal occupation
Description of remains: A crudely rectilinear formation of stacked stones measuring 3000
x 1600 x 150mm in height. Small fragments of hand made sandstock bricks and dark olive
green bottle glass lie scattered around this feature which is situated on the foreshore.
Interpretation of site: Linear stacked stones for unknown purpose. Most probably 19th
century in origin if nearby brick and bottle glass fragments are related to feature.
Significance: Medium Significance.
Recommendations: Protect from all impacts.
Photograph showing base of feature.
26
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: East Arm stone line Site number: 02
Location: E 0496820
N 5439924
Land tenure: Coastal Reserve Historic theme:
Coastal occupation
Description of remains: Two parallel curving linear stone formations situated four metres
apart. Each formation measures 20 metres in length and up to 150mm in height.
Interpretation of site: Linear stacked stones for unknown purpose. Possible Fish trap?
Significance: Medium Significance.
Recommendations: Protect from all impacts.
Photograph showing parallel linear stone formation.
27
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Doctors Creek Deco bridge Site number: 03
Location: E 0504059
N 5427981
Land tenure: Road Reserve Historic theme: Road
transport (20th century)
Description of remains: A ferro-concrete road bridge spanning Doctors Creek immediately
east of current Bell Bay Highway road bridge. Bridge superstructure executed in Art Deco
style and measures 20 x 7 x 4.5 metres in height.
Interpretation of site: 1930’s bridge comprising part of former George Town road.
Significance: Medium Significance.
Recommendations: Protect from all impacts.
Photograph showing bridge beside modern highway and detail of superstructure.
28
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Hawthorn lined driveway Site number: 04
Location: E 0504413
N 5426050
Land tenure: Private property Historic theme:
Agriculture
Description of remains: A farmhouse driveway lined on both sides by an avenue of mature
deciduous Hawthorn trees up to five metres in height.
Interpretation of site: Tree lined drive way comprising entrance to farm house.
Significance: Low Significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing tree lined driveway entrance.
29
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Radiata pine windbreak Site number: 05
Location: E 0504632
N 5425768
Land tenure: Private property Historic theme:
Agriculture
Description of remains: A roadside linear plantation of radiata pines measuring 100 metres
in length and up to 15 metres in height.
Interpretation of site: Late 20th century tree lined property boundary.
Significance: Minimal Significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing roadside radiata pine formation.
30
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Macrocarpa pine hedge Site number: 06
Location: E 0506007
N 5424320
Land tenure: Private property Historic theme:
Agriculture
Description of remains: A roadside linear plantation of mature macrocarpa pines
measuring 200 metres long. The constituent trees are up to 20 metres in height.
Interpretation of site: Early 20th century tree lined property boundary.
Significance: Low Significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing roadside macrocarpa pine formation.
31
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Lees’ apple case shed Site number: 07
Location: E 0507865
N 5422506
Land tenure: Private property Historic theme: Apple
Industry
Description of remains: A timber framed/paling clad out building measuring 9 x 6.5 x 4
metres in height. This shed is single storey structure with a hipped roof.
Interpretation of site: Mid 20th century orchard building.
Significance: Low Significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing timber apple case storage shed.
32
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Macrocarpa pine property boundary Site number: 08
Location: E 0508830
N 5419111
Land tenure: Private property Historic theme:
Agriculture
Description of remains: A roadside linear plantation of maturing macrocarpa pines
measuring 300 metres in length. The constituent trees are up to 15 metres in height.
Interpretation of site: Mid/late 20th century tree lined property boundary.
Significance: Low Significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing road side Macrocarpa pines.
33
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Stephensons’ Bend sea wall Site number: 09
Location: E 0510589
N 5415339
Land tenure: River reserve Historic theme:
River transport
Description of remains: A timber retaining wall comprised of squared sleepers and pylons
measuring 40 x 1.5 x 3 metre in height. A ferro-concrete pipe and flow regulator breaches
the wall to allow storm water outfall.
Interpretation of site: Mid 20th century river bank retaining wall and storm water drain
outlet.
Significance: Low significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing timber retaining wall and storm water outfall pipe.
34
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Stephensons Bend jetty Site number: 10
Location: E 0510495
N 5415287
Land tenure: River reserve Historic theme:
River transport
Description of remains: A ruinous timber jetty/landing noted some 100 metres south of
Stephensons’ Bend sea wall. Remains consist of a fifteen metre long sequence of timber
piles and lesser uprights protruding through the resident river silt.
Interpretation of site: Early 20th century jetty/landing.
Significance: Low significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing remains of jetty piles protruding through river silt.
35
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Riverside Hydro pipeline Site number: 11
Location: E 0508592
N 5413341
Land tenure: HEC Reserve Historic theme:
Hydro electricity
Description of remains: A concrete coated pipeline linking hill top surge/header tank to
Trevallyn power station. The resident pipe is 4.5 metres in diameter.
Interpretation of site: HEC infrastructure comprising part of Trevallyn power project
(1950’s).
Significance: Medium significance.
Recommendations: Protect from impact
Photograph showing exposed section of concrete coated pipeline.
36
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Bell Bay mile post Site number: 12
Location: E 0491609
N 5445806
Land tenure: Road reserve Historic theme:
Road transport
Description of remains: A cast concrete mile post bearing incised alpha numeric mileages
on two sides. L 26
BB 4
The post is 1200 x 220mm in dimension and has been recently white washed.
Interpretation of site: Mid 20th century mile post (1970’s).
Significance: Low significance.
Recommendations: None made
Photograph showing mile post.
37
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT. PROPOSED BELL BAY MILL INFRASTRUCTURE
Site/Feature name: Lake Trevallyn hydro footings Site number: 13
Location: E 0507256
N 5411382
Land tenure: HEC Reserve Historic theme:
Hydro electricity
Description of remains: This site consists of composite concrete machinery footings and
an attached floor slab measuring 18.5 x 10 x 550mm in height. Four rectilinear footings mark
the location of former generator units.
Interpretation of site: Generator plant footings from the original c1950 Trevallyn power
project.
Significance: Medium significance.
Recommendations: Protect from impact.
Two photographs showing the ferro-concrete machinery footings beside Lake
Trevallyn.
38
8.0 REFERENCES
Branagan, J. G. 1979. George Town. 1804. A Brief History. Author publication.
Branagan, J. G. 1980. George Town. History of Town and District. Mary Fisher Bookshop,
Launceston.
Branagan, J. G. 1992. The historic Tamar Valley: its people and places. Regal Publications.
Launceston.
Clarence Point Settlement Limited, 1914. Orcharding, Tamar Valley, Tasmania. Launceston
Examiner and Weekly Courier.
Garvie, R. M. H, 1962. A Million Horses. Tasmania’s power in the mountains. HEC Tasmania.
Gaughwin, D. 1991. North East Tasmania. Historic Sites Inventory Project. Forestry
Commission, Tasmania.
Gee Duff, F. 1888. Mineral Deposits of the West Tamar. Frank Gee Duff.
George Town Improvement Ladies Association. 1980 George Town, Low Head and the
Tamar Valley. Launceston Examiner.
Phillips, Diane Rosemary, 1948. An eligible Situation: The early history of George Town and
Low Head. Jamison Centre, ACT. 2004.
Spurlings Pty Ltd. 1911. Orcharding on the River Tamar. Launceston Examiner.
Ryan, L. 1996. 2nd edition. The Aboriginal Tasmanians. Allen and Unwin.
39
9.0 APPENDIX MAPS
Four Mile Bluff wire fence
E 0588408 N 5457521
Four Mile Bluff disc ploughE 0588367 N 5457480
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
40
41
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
42
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
43
Donovans Bay linear stones 1
E 0491534 N 5445602
Donovans Bay linear stones 2
E 0491358 N 5445731
Bell Bay mile post
E 0491609 N 5445806
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
44
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
45
East Arm stone lineE 0496820 N 5439924
East Arm linear stones
E 0496822 N 5439796
Basemap supplied by TASMAP
46 Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
47Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
48 Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
49
Doctors Creek Deco bridge
E 0504059 N 5427981
Hawthorn lined drivewayE 0504413 N 5426050
Basemap supplied by TASMAP
50
Radiata pine windbreak
E 0504632 N 5425768
Macrocarpa pine hedge
E 0506007 N 5424320
Basemap supplied by TASMAP
51
Lees’ apples case shed
E 0507865 N 5422506
Basemap supplied by TASMAP
52
Macrocarpa pine property boundary
E 0508830 N 5419111
Basemap supplied by TASMAP
53
Stephensons Bend sea wall
E 0510589 N 5415339
Stephensons Bend jettyE 0510495 N 5415287
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.
54
Riverside hydro pipelineE 0508592 N 5413341
Lake Trevallyn hydro footings
E 0507256 N 5411382
Basemap supplied by TASMAP.