Moorooduc Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve

The Moorooduc Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve is located in Mount Eliza, Victoria, Australia and occupies approximately 27 hectares of land.[1] There are entrances to the reserve located on Allison Road, Canadian Bay Road, Two Bays Road and Station Street near the Moorooduc Railway Station.

Sign for Moorooduc Quarry in 2005.

History

Rock was quarried using explosives, loaded into dobbin carts and taken to a steam powered crusher. The resulting crushed stone was loaded into larger carts and transported to the Mornington railway line via a spur-line.

Mt Eliza Regional Park sign for Moorooduc Quarry in 2005.
  • 1887 - The Moorooduc quarry was established by David Munro.
  • 1888 - A spur-line was built from the quarry to the site which is now Moorooduc station to transport stone and ballast for the construction of a branch line between Baxter and Mornington.
  • 1923 - The Frankston - Hastings Shire Council purchased the site. Stone from the quarry continued to be used for ballasting railway lines and other uses including building, road construction and repairs to the Mornington Reservoir.
  • 1927 - Electricity was introduced and the steam powered crusher which used local timber for fuel was superseded by an electrical crusher.
  • 1932 - Stone from the quarry was used in the construction of stables and garden walls at Cruden Farm owned by Keith Murdoch, father of Rupert Murdoch.[2]
  • 1935 - The cartage of stone by rail was replaced with trucks.
  • 1950s - Stone from Moorooduc quarry featured in houses built in Gulls Way, designed by David Chancellor and W. Rex Patrick.[3]
  • 1961 - The quarry was closed due to flooding. Continuing to fill with water the quarry became a popular swimming spot.
  • 1973 - Frankston Council designated the area a flora and fauna reserve.
  • 1981 - Some scenes for the television mini-series I Can Jump Puddles were filmed at the site of the quarry.
  • 1986 - The movie Frog Dreaming was filmed at the site of the quarry.

After a period of neglect community interest transformed the site into a beautiful nature reserve, one of the best on the Mornington Peninsula.

Current status

The Moorooduc Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve is located within the boundaries of the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve.

View from top of quarry in 2005.

There are several walking tracks throughout the reserve. One track encircles the high cliffs of the quarry and another the lake at the base of the cliffs. Following the path from Station Street will take you past ruins of an explosives store. Rock climbing and abseiling were quite popular in the reserve but is now strictly prohibited.

The Moorooduc Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve was submitted for listing on the Register of the National Estate prior to the closure of the register in 2007 but was rejected because it was "not of sufficient significance to warrant entry in the Register."[1]

Flora

Four species of eucalyptus and four species of acacia dominate the reserve. Most botanically significant is the diversity and abundance of indigenous native grasses and wildflowers. More than thirty species of orchids have been documented in the reserve. Several of these are classified as of state or regional significance.

Flora found in the reserve:

Fauna

At least 45 native species of birds have been recorded as breeding in the reserve and many other species visit to feed or rest. Waterbirds are often seen on the quarry lake. Several bat species have been recorded and infrequent sightings of koalas. The quarry lake and surrounding ponds and dams are home to small to microscopic aquatic creatures and various frogs.

Birds found in the reserve:[5]

Mammals found in the reserve:

Reptiles found in the reserve:

Environmental issues

Environmental weeds pose a serious threat to the survival of native flora and fauna in the reserve. Erosion is another issue of concern. Regeneration and revegetation works are slowly overcoming this problem.[1]

Pest plants found in the reserve:

See also

References
  1. "Moorooduc Quarry Reserve, Two Bays Rd, Mount Eliza, VIC, Australia- listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate (Place ID 5822)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  2. Prepared by Graeme Butler and Associates. "Cruden Farm - Stage 2 - Frankston City (East) Heritage Study 1997 - Volume 3". Archived from the original on 4 September 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  4. "APII database extract: photo_class = 'a' and photo_no = '15768'". anbg.gov.au. Retrieved 30 August 2014.

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