Merri Creek Management Committee

LOCATION: CLONBINANE 5000/04.03 E25700 N52400

Cutting on the eastern side of Wallan-Woodstock Road (also known as Epping Road) 200 m north of MacGregor Road.

ACCESS: Woodstock-Wallan Road (Epping Road).

OWNERSHIP & MUNICIPALITY: Public Land, City of Whittlesea.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The road cuttings expose gently dipping interbedded sandstone and siltstone beds of the Humevale Formation. Primary structural features of the beds (bedding planes, depositional structures), tectonic features (joints and minor faults) and weathering of the sedimentary rocks are clearly displayed. The weathering and duplex soil developed on these beds is well displayed in the profile shown by the cutting. Additional interest is the small natural erosion tunnels in the "C" soil horizon on the eastern cutting. A 2 metre wide decomposed dyke intersects the sedimentary beds. The steep angle of dip of the dyke contrasts with the shallow dip of the sedimentary rocks.

SIGNIFICANCE RATING: REGIONAL

The site is the best accessible exposure of the Humevale Formation in the study area. This formation is the bedrock of the upper catchment of the Merri Creek.

SITE SENSITIVITY, THREATS, POTENTIAL UTILISATION

CLASS 2. The exposures are gradually deteriorating by weathering and slumping of the over steepened slopes of the road cut. The slopes are too steep to allow vegetation growth and it is likely the cuttings will continue to be visible for many years. Within the interests of road safety, the RCA should be urged to maintain the cuttings as geological features if future road maintenance or widening operations are carried out. As at site 32, the best view is from the top of the opposite cutting. There is good off-road parking (on the western side). Due to the narrow carriageway, it is not advisable to encourage examination of this site from road level.

REFERENCES: None known.

Photograph 47. Weathered dyke and soil profile in Humevale Formation, Merriang, Site 34