TAG - Geological Society of Australia

NEWSIn the news this issuen Earth Science Week and Triassic Parkn International Earth Science OlympiadEarth Science Week 2012and Triassic ParkThe tenth anniversary of the gazetting of Triassic Park, near BacchusMarsh, by the Victorian Government under its Crown Land (Reserves)Act, 1978 coincided with Earth Science Week 2012.In 1873 a small reserve on the northern side of Bald Hill had beengazetted by the Victorian Colonial Government as a ‘site whence stonemay be procured’. In the 1890s plant fossil material was found in thesmall quarry opened to assess the quality of its sandstone. The fossilswere deemed to be of Triassic age and over the following century moreof the reserve was studied by Earth Scientists and students, often inconjunction with broader studies of the widespread Permian rocks andlandforms of the Bacchus Marsh area. In 2000 the reserve was offeredfor sale by the Victorian Government as a location for residentialdevelopment.The offer of the reserve for sale was questioned by a small group ofconcerned Earth Scientists. Back in 1986 it had been declared to be of‘State’ geological significance because it contained the only recordedoutcrop of Triassic sedimentary rocks in Victoria. This primary informationhad been overlooked in the offer for sale. After two yearsof lobbying and negotiating with government, the sale offer was withdrawn,the 2.1-ha reserve was gazetted, and a six-member managementcommittee was appointed in October 2002.Ten years on, although Victoria had been devastated by drought formost of the decade, Triassic Park is in excellent condition. Managementpractices of ongoing rabbit and weed eradication have resulted inhealthy growth of trees and understorey. Fencing defines the reserveand path construction makes access easier. Information signage assistsvisitors to interpret both the geology and the general environment theywill see on their visit. Unwanted debris has been removed from the smallquarry to better display its Triassic rocks.The dedicated work of the committee of management, made upof both local citizens and Earth Science professionals, has pulled thishistoric reserve back from the brink of oblivion. It has made the site ashowcase of success as a geological reserve for its Triassic outcrop. Thereis the added bonus of conserving a small area of bushland that has allbut disappeared with urban growth in the vicinity.As part of the Triassic Park committee’s ongoing commitment to thelocal community, the authors of this article spent a day during EarthScience Week with Grade 4 children from the local Darley PrimarySchool, introducing them to the varied rocks and fossils of the BacchusMarsh area. The children participated enthusiastically and took away afresh interest in the Earth Science of their area.The Triassic Park Committee of Management members continue tomaintain their involvement to conserve the Crown land reserve and ensurethat it remains available for the wider community to visit and enjoyinto the future.SUSAN WHITE and ROGER PIERSONTriassic sandstone cropping outin the small test quarry (theCouncil Trench) at Triassic Park.Image courtesy Roger Pierson.22 |TAG December 2012