pipelines & construction infrastructure

1

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


impacts

03 Doctors Creek deco

bridge

E 0504059

N 5427981


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


12 Bell Bay mile post E 0491609

N 5445806

Water Low None made

13 Lake Trevallyn hydro

footings

E 0507256

N 5411382


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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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


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.


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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Site/Feature name: Donovans Bay linear stones 2 Site number: 15

Location: E 0491358

N 5445731


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.


Site/Feature name: East Arm linear stones Site number: 01

Location: E 0496822

N 5439796


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


Site/Feature name: East Arm stone line Site number: 02

Location: E 0496820

N 5439924


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?



Photograph showing parallel linear stone formation.

27


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.



Photograph showing bridge beside modern highway and detail of superstructure.

28


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.


Photograph showing tree lined driveway entrance.

29


Site/Feature name: Radiata pine windbreak Site number: 05

Location: E 0504632

N 5425768


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.


Photograph showing roadside radiata pine formation.

30


Site/Feature name: Macrocarpa pine hedge Site number: 06

Location: E 0506007

N 5424320


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.



Photograph showing roadside macrocarpa pine formation.

31


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.



Photograph showing timber apple case storage shed.

32


Site/Feature name: Macrocarpa pine property boundary Site number: 08

Location: E 0508830

N 5419111


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.



Photograph showing road side Macrocarpa pines.

33


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.


Photograph showing timber retaining wall and storm water outfall pipe.

34


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.



Photograph showing remains of jetty piles protruding through river silt.

35


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


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).



Photograph showing mile post.

37


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.

41


42


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


44


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


50

Radiata pine windbreak

E 0504632 N 5425768

Macrocarpa pine hedge

E 0506007 N 5424320


51

Lees’ apples case shed

E 0507865 N 5422506


52

Macrocarpa pine property boundary

E 0508830 N 5419111


53

Stephensons Bend sea wall

E 0510589 N 5415339

Stephensons Bend jettyE 0510495 N 5415287


54

Riverside hydro pipelineE 0508592 N 5413341

Lake Trevallyn hydro footings

E 0507256 N 5411382


pipelines & construction infrastructure

Documents