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Proposed Quarry and Crushing Plant Lake Leake Road,

Campbell Town

Historic Heritage Assessment Final Report

Report to SHAW Contracting

Gondwana Heritage Solutions

GHS.2015HH02

05 March 2015

©Gondwana Heritage Solutions (GHS). All rights reserved.

GHS has prepared this document for the sole use of the client and for a specific purpose, as expressly stated in the document. GHS

undertakes no duty nor accepts any responsibility to any third party not being the intended recipient of this document. The information

contained in this document has been carefully compiled based on the client’s requirements and GHS’s experience, having regard to the

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entirety.

Proposed quarry and crushing plant Lake Leake Road – Historic Heritage Final Report Revision No: 0.1

05 March 2015

Gondwana Heritage Solutions

Document information

Title Proposed Quarry and Crushing Plant Lake Leake Road, Campbell Town

Historic Heritage Assessment Draft Final Report

Client organisation SHAW Contracting

Client contact Joe Luttrell

Document number GHS.2015.HH02

Project manager Greg Jackman

Project reference

Revision history

Revision 0.0

Revision description Draft Report for Client comment

Prepared by Greg Jackman

04/03/2015

(name) (signature) (date)

Distributed to Joe Luttrell SHAW Contracting 05/03/2015

(name) (organisation) (date)

Revision 0.1

Revision description Final Report

Prepared by Greg Jackman

05/03/2015

(name) (signature) (date)

Distributed to Joe Luttrell SHAW Contracting 05/03/2015

(name) (organisation) (date)


05 March 2015

Gondwana Heritage Solutions i

Executive summary

This report presents the results of a historic heritage assessment of a proposed dolerite quarry and crushing

plant development near Campbelltown in the Northern Midlands region of Tasmania. The study has been

commissioned by SHAW Contracting on behalf of Midland Quarries Pty Ltd which has obtained a lease from

Quorn Hall Pty. Ltd.

The proposed development area is bounded on the north side by Lake Leake Road and on the east, west and

south, sides by agricultural land primarily used for sheep grazing.

The area covered by this assessment corresponds to a 49.3 ha lease area within which the development will be

situated. While details of the layout are yet to be finalised, it is understood that the proposed operations

include a quarry, crushing plant, site offices, road and allied infrastructure that will occupy an zone of

approximately 10 ha within the overall lease.

Survey results

Over 34km of transects were surveyed during the field survey at 10-20m spacings reflecting terrain and ground-

surface visibility.

Three historic heritage features were identified and assessed during the study:

• Two small disused dolerite quarries and allied features reputedly associated with the construction of

Quorn Hall airstrip for RAAF use during WWII.

• A disused section of road alignment that formerly linked Campbelltown and Swansea prior to a 1920s

realignment to form the current Lake Leake Rd.

Proposed quarry development zone (DTM area)

No historic heritage features were identified within the proposed development area, which includes the

proposed pit, crusher site, haul and access roads. This area is stony with thin free-draining soils, unsuitable for

horticulture and evidently historically used as an unimproved stock run.

Balance of lease

Two disused dolerite quarries are contained within title CT 150296/1, which is encompassed within the quarry

lease but outside the proposed development area. These quarries are assessed within this report as not

meeting HCHA criteria at either State or local levels. The quarries will not be impacted by the proposed

development.

A disused segment of Swansea Rd runs along the northern boundary of the quarry lease area but is unlikely to

be impacted by the proposed development. Potential impacts may arise from increased vehicular use of the

current alignment, upgrade or fencing.

Management recommendations

There are no listed/registered historic heritage places within the proposed development zone or balance of the

quarry lease area. Consequently there are no permit requirements for impacting historic heritage values.

The three historic heritage features identified during the survey are outside the proposed development zone

and should not be impacted by scheduled operations. Two of these features (1940s dolerite quarries) are

situated on a separate title and are unavailable for redevelopment. All three features, while having some

historic heritage values, are assessed as being below the indicative thresholds for State or Local significance

established within Heritage Tasmania guidelines. Notwithstanding, the following recommendation is made.

Recommendation 1.

Intact sections of the disused road alignment (i.e. benched/built up formation) should be protected

from impacts associated with vehicle use and/or upgrades unless there is no prudent or feasible

alternative. Boundary fencing should be run parallel to the road alignment rather than along the built

feature.


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ii Gondwana Heritage Solutions

Unknown sites

The current study suggests that the potential for additional historic heritage values to exist within the proposed

development zone is negligible. Notwithstanding, Heritage Tasmania’s Pre-development Assessment

Guidelines advocate the inclusion of an Unanticipated Discovery Plan within development planning instruments

and operational protocols.

For the proposed development the Unanticipated Discovery Plan recommends:

• Ceasing ground-disturbing activities that have the potential to impact the discovery;

• Notifying Heritage Tasmania of the discovery and to seek advice;

• Engaging a qualified specialist to assess the significance of the discovery and determine appropriate

actions in consultation with Heritage Tasmania.


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Gondwana Heritage Solutions iii

Contents

1. Introduction 5

1.1 Project background 5

1.2 Study aims 5

1.3 Personnel 5

1.4 Study process 5

1.4.1 Desktop review 6

1.4.2 Field survey 6

1.4.3 Stakeholder consultation 6

2. Environmental setting 7

2.1 Geology and physiography 7

2.2 Climate and rainfall 8

2.3 Flora and fauna 8

3. Historical summary 8

3.1 19th Century settlement and land use 8

3.2 20th Century development 10

4. Survey Results 13

4.1 Desktop study 13

4.2 Field survey 13

5. Assessing cultural significance 17

5.1 LLR1 & LLR2 disused PWD dolerite quarries 17

5.2 LLR3 Disused Swansea Road alignment 18

6. Managing heritage values 19

6.1 Statutory requirements 19

6.1.1 Commonwealth heritage legislation 19

6.1.2 State heritage legislation 20

6.1.3 Local heritage requirements 20

6.1.4 Non statutory heritage considerations 21

6.2 Cultural Heritage Management Plan 22

6.2.1 Potential impacts 22

6.2.2 Management recommendations 22

7. References 24


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iv Gondwana Heritage Solutions

List of figures

Figure 2.1: Study area location map 7

Figure 3.1: Land Grants 11

Figure 3.2: Desktop study - heritage listings 12

Figure 4.1: Survey results 16

List of tables

Table 4.1: Historic heritage features 15


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Gondwana Heritage Solutions 5

1. Introduction

1.1 Project background

Midland Quarries Pty Ltd is investigating the feasibility of establishing a dolerite quarry and crushing plant

to the south of Lake Leake Rd. approximately 5km east of Campbell Town (Figure 2.1) The proposed

development will occupy approximately 10 ha within a 49.3 ha area of CT 109834/2 and CT 109837/10

leased from Quorn Hall Pty Ltd. Two smaller mid-20th C. quarries lie immediately north of the proposed

development area (CT 150296/1) but will not be extended under the current proposal. This proposal

includes an open-cut quarry, crushing plant, site offices and associated services (road, electricity and

communications infrastructure).

Gondwana Heritage Solutions was engaged in November 2014 by SHAW Contracting to undertake a historic

heritage impact assessment for the proposed development as part of an Environmental Effects Report (EER)

requested by The Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on 19 November 2014.

Specifically with regards to historic heritage, the EER requirements state:

• Is the proposed activity on or near a place listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register or Tasmanian

Historic Places Inventory? If yes, provide details.

• An assessment of potential impacts on European cultural heritage must be conducted by an

appropriately qualified person, and a report appended to the EER. Before engaging a consultant,

Heritage Tasmania should be contacted for advice.

1.2 Study aims

The scope for the assessment is outlined in the EER with reference to Heritage Tasmania’s Pre-Development

Assessment Guidelines1, and can be broadly summarised as follows:

• To provide a description of the project;

• To undertake a survey; comprising desktop review, preparation of historical summary and

involving appropriate consultation;

• To assess identified historic heritage against HCHA criteria and State/Local thresholds;

• To provide management recommendations regarding statutory approvals requirements, managing

historic heritage values and dealing with undiscovered heritage.

1.3 Personnel

This assessment was undertaken out by Gondwana Heritage Principal Consultant/Archaeologist Greg

Jackman.

1.4 Study process

This historic heritage assessment has been undertaken in accordance Heritage Tasmania’s Pre-Development

Assessment Guidelines (review 30 June 2010) as current at the time of survey.

The methodology for the study is outlined below:

1 Heritage Tasmania Guidelines November 2009, Reviewed 30 June 2010.


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6 Gondwana Heritage Solutions

1.4.1 Desktop review

Searches were made of the following heritage lists/databases for places on or in close proximity to titles CT

109834/2, CT 109837/10 and CT 150296/1:

• Commonwealth lists

o National Heritage List

o Commonwealth Heritage List

o Register of the National Estate

• Tasmanian lists

o Tasmanian Heritage Register

o Tasmanian Historic Places Index

o Northern Midlands Interim Planning Scheme Heritage Code E13-1

o Mineral Resources Tasmania Mineral Deposits Database

The desktop study involved limited research of records held by the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office,

Land Titles Office and National Library of Australia/Trove digital newspaper database.

1.4.2 Field survey

The survey method involved walking a series of parallel transects across the 49.3 ha lease area which

encompasses the c.10 ha proposed development zone (DTM area). Transect tracklogs were recorded by

hand-held GPS units referenced to MGA Zone 55. Survey transects were typically spaced 10-20m apart

depending on terrain and ground-surface visibility.

Historic heritage features located during the survey were recorded by written description and digital

photography, and positioned by handheld GPS (GEATC PS226 - manufacturer claimed autonomous accuracy

of +/- 2-5m).

1.4.3 Stakeholder consultation

Owing to the localised nature of the proposed development, consultation was limited to government

agencies and the landowner. Heritage Tasmania was contacted on 26 November 29014 to ascertain

whether the three titles intersected by the proposed development lease area were listed on the Tasmanian

heritage register and to request of the THR datasheet for Quorn Hall. Mineral Resources Tasmania was

contacted on 27 February 2015 requesting records associated with the quarries on CT 150296/1. Contact

was made with the landowner, Mr Tom Clarke, regarding the land-use history on 2 March 2015.


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2. Environmental setting

Figure 2.1: Study area location map

2.1 Geology and physiography

The study area is situated in the Northern Midlands of Tasmania approximately 5km east of the township of

Campbell Town. The regional landscape generally comprises a gently north-sloping sedimentary plain of

Late Carboniferous-Triassic age interrupted by a few low hills. The undulating plain is flanked both to the

west and to the east by higher country and has been termed the Midlands Graben (Banks, 1962). The

Tertiary age graben is bounded to the west by the Great Western Tiers, where the sediments are

downthrown by 700–1000 m along the NW to NNW-trending Tiers Fault. To the east the plain is bounded

by the Eastern Tiers, a band or predominantly Jurassic dolerite hills rising up to 800 m elevation. The

boundary between the plain sediments and eastern dolerite uplands is irregular, suggesting the

displacement of gently west-dipping sediments by a series of east-side-down normal faults rather than a

single major fault (Everard et al 2007: 5).

The graben-basin structure defines the local hydrology, with local waterways dissecting the face of the

eastern dolerite uplands and draining east towards the centre of the plain. On the plain, Triassic sediments

are discontinuously overlain by Cainozoic deposits of clay and sand alluvium of riverine and lacustrine

origin, intercalated with vesicular tholeiitic basalt of variable Tertiary age associated with progressive

graben development.

A number of basalt centres have been identified east of Campbelltown. The closest occurs at Keach Hill,

1km to the east of the study area, where alkali basalt rests on Jurassic dolerite at an altitude of about 500

metres. From there a series of flows descend westward immediately south of the study area, reaching the

floor of the Midlands Plain at an altitude of about 230 m (Everard et al 2007: 5).

The study area itself is situated over a low dolerite footspur of Keach Hill encompassing the 250-340m

contours overlooking the eastern edge of the Midlands Plain. The knoll is bordered by Keach Creek to the


05 March 2015


north and an unnamed tributary of Pinnacles Creek to the south, and is separated from the Keach Hill by

low saddles along the north-east and south-east sides. The resident soils, which are typologically

chromosols of the Blomfield Complex (Davies 1975), are skeletal on the ridgetop and higher flanks where

dolerite sheet rock subcrops, with thin sandy mantles forming on the lower slopes and terraces derived

from aeolian remobilisation of plain sediments. Organic soils are thin to absent and the area has been

heavily grazed, with deflation resulting in exposure of angular float and underlying dolerite sheet rock.

2.2 Climate and rainfall

The local area has a temperate inland climate, with maximum daytime temperatures ranging from

approximately 25o in February to 11o in July, and minimum average ranges from 8.8o to 0o. Katabatic air

drainage from the fringing tiers can produce cold winds on the plain in all seasons and frosts are frequent

from May through October. In common with much of eastern Tasmania the area is relatively dry, receiving

approximately 560mm rainfall distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, with reductions in mid-

summer/mid-winter and an increase in early summer (1 standard deviation).

2.3 Flora and fauna

Generally plant diversity within the study area was low for all vegetation types, reflecting heavy grazing by

both domestic stock (sheep and cattle) but also native and non-native animals. Introduced grasses and

herbs were abundant, especially on the lower slopes and several midslope areas were infested with gorse,

which had been burned providing areas of ground exposure and habitat for rabbits.

In terms of native species, exposed ridge tops generally supported Bursaria-Acacia woodland while upper

and lower slopes supported grasslands featuring a variety of native species including Austrodanthonia spp.

(wallaby grass), Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Poa labillarierei (silver tussock) and P. rodwayii (velvet

tussock). Introduced grasses included Bromus catharticus (prairie grass), Cynosorus cristatus (crested dogs

tails) and Vulpia species (fescue) and herbs included Erodium cicutarium (common heronsbill), Leontodon

taraxicoides (hairy hawkbit), and Hypochaeris radicata (rough cats ear) and Trifolium spp. (clover).2

3. Historical summary

3.1 19th Century settlement and land use

The proposed development spans two original land grants, the larger portion to the north occupying part of

a lot of 2418 acres granted to Henry Keach, and the lesser portion to the south falling within a 2000 acre

grant to Samuel Hill (Figure 3.1).

A former British naval officer, Lt. Hill emigrated to Van Diemens Land in 1823 and found work as a

magistrate and Port Officer for Hobart Town. Originally granted 2000 acres at Gaddeston shortly after

arrival, by 1832 Hill’s Elizabeth River Estate, known as Quorn, had grown to 10,000 acres. A talented artist

and friend of John Glover and Lady Jane Franklin, Hill liquidated his Van Demonian assets including his

Quorn Estate in the late 1830s, and retired to England in 1846. 3. Quorn was purchased by Walter Glas

Chiene but shortly thereafter sold, following Chiene’s premature death, to James Lord in 18414.

Less is known of Henry Keach. The date of his arrival in Van Diemens land has not been identified by the

current project. There is some evidence that he was living at Gaddeston in 1833 while attempting to buy

land for a farm5, and 1835 he had taken up his grant to the east of Hill’s main holdings on the Elizabeth

River and established a residence, known as Weobley on the flats by the river. The place was named after

the market town of the same name in Herefordshire, presumably Keach’s place of origin. Keach set about

2 S. Casey pers comm 5 January 2015 3 Brown, T. 1992 http://www.daao.org.au/bio/samuel-hill/biography/ 4 Launceston Courier 13 September 1841 5 Henry Jelico personal papers G.78-115 in Leake Family Papers http://eprints.utas.edu.au/10860/4/Leake.pdf


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farming and by 1839 was advertising red seed wheat at 14s. per bushel.6 Two years later Keach was offering

for sale 300 four tooth wethers and 400 lamb ewes of excellent wool.7

Life for the Keach family was not all bucolic serenity however, and in December 1843 Weobley was robbed

by the bushrangers James Dalton, Thomas Jones and John Liddle, Mrs Keach and the young Miss Keach

escaping through a window to raise the alarm at Quorn.8

Keach continued to farm at Weobley for the next few years, building up his herd of breeding milk cows and

steers and sheep flocks, regularly selling stock when in surplus or to pay debts. In addition to his farming

interests Keach built up a residential property portfolio in the township of Perth, which ultimately became

his undoing. In order to finance his schemes, Keach had mortgaged Weobley to Hobart merchant John

Robertson in 1841.9 After a falling out Robertson foreclosed in 1850, forcing the auction of Keach’s farm.

Sheriff’s Office, 1st March, 1850. In the Supreme Court

ROBERTSON V. KEACH.

WRIT of fieri facias, received 14th February, Levy made 16th February, at Weobley near Campbell Town, on a

flock of about 3,500 sheep, more or less, 6 horses, about 20 head of horned cattle, pigs, farming implements,

one stack of Hay about 25 tons, about 500 bushels of grain in the straw, principally wheat, household

furniture, &c, &c. Also, all the defendant's right, title, and interest of defendant in and to the Estate called

"Weobley" containing upwards of 3000 acres. The Sheriff, will, upon Thursday, the 21st instant, and following

day, at one o'clock, cause to be sold by Public Auction, on the premises, all the sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, &c.,

&c., &o. And upon Tuesday the 2nd day of April next, at 12 o'clock, the Sheriff will cause the farm to be sold

by Public Auction, at the Court House, Hobart Town, unless this execution be previously satisfied.10

Later references to Weobley during the 1850s refer to the resident being G.W. Keach, presumably Henry

Keach’s son, who may have purchased or leased back the property following the mortgagee sale. The farm

continued to operate as a single entity, with 1200 lambs, 400 wethers being offered for sale in 1857.11

At some point the old Keach grant was subsumed into the Quorn Estate, which by purchased from James

Lord by the prominent landholder and pastoralist W. J. T. Clarke in 1856. Following Clarke’s death in 1874

the property was bequeathed to his second Son Thomas Bigge Clarke, who died four year later in December

1878. With Thomas Bigge’s sons not yet of age, the combined properties were advertised for lease in 1879,

with the following description:12

TO BE LET BY TENDER.

The PROPERTIES known as "QUORN" and "WEOBLEY," forming one estate, containing 10,596 acres, or

thereabout, situate about two miles from Campbell Town.

This magnificent estate is one of the finest in the district, having a frontage of about four miles on the

Elizabeth River, and consists of sound, healthy country, half of which is splendid fattening land, and is divided

into nine runs and several paddocks. It is capable of carrying about 9,000 sheep and 150 head of cattle.

The Homestead, "QUORN HALL," is a large stone dwelling, suitable for a family, containing 15 rooms, with

out-offices, etc., large stone stable, and garden, and stands in a fine Park, of about 300 acres, not to be

surpassed in the island.

The farm buildings consist of a brick house, containing ten rooms, which wants some slight repairs; and barn,

woolshed, and stables, considerably out of repair.13

TERMS:

The Estate will be let for a term of fifteen years, expiring on 9th February, 1894.

Rent payable half-yearly, secured.

6 Launceston Advertiser 4 April 1839 7 Launceston Advertiser 3 June 1841 8 The Courier 15 December 1843 9 Launceston Examiner 3 July 1850 10 Colonial Times 12 March 1850 11 The Cornwall Chronicle 23 May 1857 12 Launceston Examiner 16 September 1879 13 The 10 room farmhouse is possibly the old Weobley homestead which was evidently situated on the Elizabeth River approximately

2km from the quarry lease (T. Clarke pers comm 2 March 2015)


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The tenant will be required to keep the home stead, stable, and out-offices, and also the brick farmhouse, and

all buildings to be put up on the property, both inside and out, in good order and repair; to leave all the fences

of their respective kinds in sound, good order; not to break up any new land, nor disturb any land now laid

down in grass, but paddocks on "Quorn," which have been cultivated within the last five years, may be again

ploughed up and cultivated ; to erect at his own cost all or any boundary fences required to be put up under

the Boundary Fences Act; to pay all rates and taxes, present and future ; to leave all buildings erected by

tenant for benefit of the landlords ; not to assign or underlet without leave; and to enter into all other usual

covenants and conditions contained in farm leases.

The tenant will be allowed to bark the wattle trees on the estate (reserving thereout the Home Park), which

bark is estimated to be worth about £1,000, in consideration whereof he will be required to put the

homestead and other buildings in good repair, erect a new woolshed, and leave all the fences in good order

and condition.

Quorn was leased for 14 years by Edward Dowling14, after which management was presumably

resumed by the Clarke family.

3.2 20th Century development

Little is documented in official accounts of activity on the subject land during the 20th century. In October

1924, 22 acres 3 roods 7 perches was acquired to realign Lake Leake Road15, although the extent of the

realignment relative to the previous route is not clear. A road had evidently existed from Campbelltown to

Keach’s farm from at least 184916 however its easterly extent is not known. Prior to 1860 the Campbell

Town was linked to the east coast by a road passing along the South Esk River via Avoca and Fingal to

Falmouth, with a southerly branch running along St Pauls River to Great Oyster Bay. By 1866 a track existed

from Campbelltown to Swansea but was practically impassable.17

The original survey plan for Keach’s block shows the Swansea road passing through the centre of the grant,

on much the same alignment as the land acquired in 1924, however this may be a later annotation.18 Local

intelligence suggests that the original line of the Swansea (i.e. Lake Leake) Road ran along the gully forming

the northern boundary of the quarry lease towards Keach Hill, however there is no indication on the Keach

grant plan, Somerset parish chart19 or realignment land acquisition memorial20 of a former public road in

this location. Further land acquisitions for realignments of Lake Leake Road within the former Keach grant

occurred in 197921 and 198022.

World War II provided the impetus for a short-lived development on the subject land, with the

establishment of two small quarries and a crushing plant to supply dolerite aggregate for a concrete airstrip

constructed by the Public Works Department at Quorn for use of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Quorn

Hall airstrip was one of over 300 mainland and regional airfields operated by the RAAF during the early

1940s. Other Tasmanian airstrips constructed by the PWD for Defence purposes included Tunbridge,

Valleyfield and Currie, while Cambridge was upgraded. The Quorn airfield was constructed at a cost of

81,25723. Following the war, there were proposals to upgrade the airstrip to a public aerodrome for

intrastate travel24, however the scheme never eventuated. The Quorn airfield finally saw life as a racing

circuit, 1.5 miles long, from 1952-1960.25

The Tasmanian government eventually purchased a block of 11 acres 2 roods 32.5 perches encompassing

the quarry pits in June 196926, however little if any further production occurred; the 1980 road realignment

bypassing the quarry altogether.

14 Von Stieglitz 1949: 33

16 F. 46 Henry Keach, Weobley 21 Sept. 1849 in Leake Family Papers http://eprints.utas.edu.au/10860/4/Leake.pdf 17 Newitt & Jones 1988: 252 18 LTO Somerset P37 19 LTO Somerset 1 20 LTO 16/9626 op cit 21 LTO 53/5969 22 LTO 55/4490 23 Examiner 17 October 1946 24 Examiner 29 May 1947 25 http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/quornhal.html 26 LTO 41/2489


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Figure 3.1: Land Grants


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Figure 3.2: Desktop study - heritage listings

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4. Survey Results

4.1 Desktop study

• No places on either the National or Commonwealth heritage lists are intersected by the proposed

development.

• One Place, Quorn Hall, is listed on the Register of the National Estate (ID 13121), Tasmanian Heritage

Register (THR 4904) and NMIPS Heritage Code (Place No. 48), however these listings are for the main

homestead which is situated 2.5km to the west on title CT109833/1 and not affected by the proposed

development. (Figure 3.2)

The desktop study and allied consultation identified two features, the disused quarry pits on CT 150296/1 and

possible former Swansea Road segment delineating the northern boundary of the quarry lease, as items

worthy of detailed inspection.

Mineral Resources Tasmania was unable to provide any historical information relating to the disused quarry

pits.27

4.2 Field survey

The study area displayed evidence of low to moderate intensity historical land use, primarily stock grazing, with

localised disturbances for transport and communications infrastructure and extraction of construction

materials. Modern features and services, including rural fencing and a Telstra optic fibre cable which ran along

the northern boundary of the lease area, were not documented. Features documented and assessed in this

report are listed in Table 4.1 and mapped in Figure 4.1.

27 Amanda Payne, Senior Spatial Information Officer MRT, 3 March 2015


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Table 4.1: Historic heritage features

Feature Description Images

LLR1

Quarry pit

No 1

The eastern pit comprises a single benched cutting approximately 30m

wide x 15m long x 6m high at the southern face. A short trench

measuring 20m long x 5m wide x 1.5m deep trench, possibly a test

costean trending 70o magnetic is situated approximately 25m from the

mouth of the pit. A disused access track connects the north-east corner

of the pit with the pre-1980 alignment of Lake Leake Road The area

between the pit and former road alignment is heavily dozer scarred.

Main face, pit No. 1 Trench north of Pit No. 1

LLR 2

Quarry Pit

No. 2

The western pit comprises a single benched cutting approximately 30m

wide x 10m long x 5m high at the southern face. A short trench

measuring 20m long x 5m wide x 1.5m deep trench, possibly a test

costean trending 70o magnetic is situated approximately 20m from the

mouth of the pit. The trench contains items of rural debris, including a

1950s English make car body. A disused access track connects the

mouth of the pit with the pre-1980 alignment of Lake Leake Road The

area between the pit and former road alignment is heavily dozer

scarred.

Main face, pit No. 2 Trench north of Pit No. 2

LLR 3

Possible

former

road

alignment

The former road alignment is represented by a 3-4m wide low relief

formation, running for approximately 3.6km around the south side of

Keach Hill. The alignment runs from the north-east corner of the

quarry lease up the lower south side of a broad gully before ascending

the southern footslopes of Keach Hill, passing through a saddle to re-

join the current alignment of Lake Leake Road approximately 500m

south-east of the main hill peak. The formation is benched slightly on

the upslope sides and built up/cut in locally. Elements of the alignment

have been disturbed through telecommunications installation and

vehicle use. The westernmost 250m has been disturbed/overprinted

for quarry access.

Disused road alignment, view northwest

Disused road alignment, view southeast


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Figure 4.1: Survey results


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5. Assessing cultural significance

The assessment of cultural significance for LLR1, LLR2 and LLR3 within this report has been made in accordance

with Heritage Tasmania’s guidelines Assessing Historic Heritage Significance.28 The guidelines refer to the

assessment criteria contained in the Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 (HCHA) and establish thresholds for

determining State or Local heritage significance. Owing to their historical equivalence, the two disused quarry

pits LLR1 and LLR2 are assessed within this report as a combined entity.

5.1 LLR1 & LLR2 disused PWD dolerite quarries

Criterion (a): the place is important to the course or pattern of Tasmania’s/Local history

The quarries are reputedly associated with the construction of a RAAF airstrip on the Quorn property.

While the airstrip itself is of some interest in demonstrating aspects of Tasmania’s WWII defence

preparations, the quarries themselves do not adequately demonstrate this connection in isolation. The

airstrip is partially situated on the THR listed title for Quorn Hall (CT 109833/1) however it is not

referred to in the THR datasheet or assessments against HCHA criteria and consequently may be

assumed to not satisfy the criterion at State level. As one of a small number of midlands airstrips (i.e.

Tunbridge) the airstrip may meet the threshold for Local heritage significance, however the quarries

are unlikely to have sufficient associative value to meet the criteria themselves. State/Local criterion

not met.

Criterion (b): the place possesses uncommon or rare aspects of Tasmania’s/Local history

Small dolerite quarries of this nature are very common in eastern Tasmania and are not rare or

endangered. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (c): the place has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an

understanding of Tasmania’s/Local history

The quarry pits have limited potential to yield information about 1940s quarry operations, however

this is not currently a research topic of significance in Australian archaeology. State/Local criterion

not met.

Criterion (d): the place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of place

in Tasmania’s/Local history.

Dolerite quarries are extremely common in Tasmania, owing to the ubiquity of the geology in eastern

Tasmania and its attendant widespread use as aggregate in civil works. While the pits LLR1 and LLR2

demonstrate typical characteristics of small dolerite quarries, better representative examples may be

found elsewhere. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (e): the place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical

achievement

The quarry pits demonstrate standard extraction techniques for the period, involving blasting and

mechanical extraction and crushing. State/Local criterion not met.

28 Heritage Tasmania, Version 5, October 2011


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Criterion (f): the place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural

group for social or spiritual reasons

When operating, the quarries were on private land. The current quarry block has been owned by the

Crown since 1969 but not operated. It is highly unlikely that the site would be of significance to a

group or community sufficient to satisfy this criterion. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (g): the place has a special association with the life or works of a person, or group of

persons, of importance in Tasmania’s/Local history

The quarries are associated with the activities of the Public Works Department, on behalf of the

Commonwealth government. While the airstrip may have some significance for its WWII RAAF

associations and later use for motorsport, these uses post-date quarrying operations. State/Local

criterion not met.

Criterion (h): the place is important in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.

The quarries are typical examples of their type and do not demonstrate particular design or aesthetic

attributes. The quarries are set back approximately 200m from Lake Leake Rd and partially screened

by scrubby regrowth, and do not have a strong landscape presence when viewed from publically

accessible areas. State/Local criterion not met.

5.2 LLR3 Disused Swansea Road alignment

Criterion (a): the place is important to the course or pattern of Tasmania’s/Local history

Road building is an important theme in Tasmania’s history and a key driver of regional social and

economic development. A number of places associated with road construction (i.e. convict road

stations) are listed on State and Local heritage lists. Roads themselves however are very poorly

represented in statutory lists, with only two standalone road entries on the THR.29 It is not clear

whether the disused Swansea road formation was a publically gazetted road or simply a seasonal

shortcut. The road may potentially meet Criterion a) at the Local level, however the NMIPS Heritage

Code does not contain any other roads, many of which are more intact and arguably more significant

than LLR3. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (b): the place possesses uncommon or rare aspects of Tasmania’s/Local history

Road building and realignment is an ongoing process and disused road formations are common in the

Tasmanian landscape. LLR3 is one of many ‘Old Coach Roads” within Tasmania, few of which are

referred to in statutory heritage lists. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (c): the place has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an

understanding of Tasmania’s/Local history

The portion adjacent to the quarry lease boundary has been impacted by more recent activities which

has degraded any resident information content. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (d): the place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of place

in Tasmania’s/Local history.

The former road alignment/formation demonstrates characteristics common to disused roads that

have been subsequently used for farm purposes. While some segments of the formation are

29 THR 11001 South Bruny Coast Road, THR 11836 Convict Road Koonya


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reasonably intact, better preserved examples exist elsewhere within the local area. State/Local

criterion not met.

Criterion (e): the place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical

achievement

The road formation demonstrates typical low-capital road construction techniques and does not

evince notable engineering or detail. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (f): the place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural

group for social or spiritual reasons

There is no evidence to support this criterion at either State or Local level. The road has been

bypassed since 1924, consequently there would be few living individuals who would be aware of its

existence. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (g): the place has a special association with the life or works of a person, or group of

persons, of importance in Tasmania’s/Local history

There is no evidence to support this criterion at either State or Local level. It is not known when or

by/for whom the road was originally constructed, however the Local Board of Works upgraded

sections in 1866. State/Local criterion not met.

Criterion (h): the place is important in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.

The road is a low relief feature on private land, and appears no different to innumerable other farm

tracks in the Tasmanian landscape. Very little of the alignment is visible from publically accessible

viewpoints. State/Local criterion not met.

6. Managing heritage values

6.1 Statutory requirements

Historic heritage within Tasmania is protected at Commonwealth, State and Local Government levels. It is also

documented within a range of non-statutory databases and lists that may sometimes be taken into

consideration during the development application process.

6.1.1 Commonwealth heritage legislation

The National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List are established under the Commonwealth

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Commonwealth Heritage List comprises natural, Indigenous and historic heritage places which are either

entirely within a Commonwealth area, or outside the Australian jurisdiction and owned or leased by the

Commonwealth or a Commonwealth Authority.

The National heritage List contains places of outstanding heritage significance to the Australian nation,

including natural, historic and Indigenous places, which are not on land owned or controlled by the

Commonwealth.

Approval must be obtained before any action takes place that could have a significant impact on the National

or Commonwealth heritage values of a listed place.


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In addition to formal referral mechanisms for specific development, the heritage values of places on lists

maintained by Commonwealth Government are managed through a requirement for Australian State and

Territory Governments to develop heritage strategies, a heritage register, and management plans in

accordance with the Commonwealth Heritage Management Principles.

6.1.2 State heritage legislation

At a state level, the Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 (HCHA) was proclaimed in December 1995 and

established the Tasmanian Heritage Council (THC). Through this Act, a single, state-level method of recording

and protection of historic heritage values was provided through the Tasmanian Heritage Register (THR) as well

as procedures for the nomination and assessment of places. In addition, the THC became the primary consent

body for works on registered sites.

Administration of the HCHA is carried out by Heritage Tasmania which is a unit of the State Government’s

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. The THR provides a single layer of

assessment and protection of historic heritage places within the state.

Works affecting places permanently registered on the THR require heritage approval from the Tasmanian

Heritage Council (THC), either in the form of a Permit or Certificate of Exemption. ‘Works’ are defined under

Part 1, S3 of the HCHA and include:

(a) any development; and

(b) any physical intervention, excavation or action which may result in a change to the nature or appearance of

the fabric of a place; and

(c) any change to the natural or existing condition or topography of land; and

(d) …..

(e) any removal of vegetation or topsoil

Applications for permits are made through the Local Government Development Application process. The THC

may approve, refuse or approve a permit with conditions. Development applications are subject to public

notification and third party appeal rights.

The THC may directly issue a Certificate of Exemption for the works outside the development application

process if it considers that there will not be any significant impact on the heritage values of the place, as

generally defined under its Draft Works Guidelines (June 2014).30

6.1.3 Local heritage requirements

The Northern Midlands Interim Planning Scheme 2013 contains a number of strategic objectives centred on

protecting and marketing the heritage values of the municipality. Specific provisions for protecting heritage

values are contained in the Heritage Code (E13-1). The purpose of the code is to:

a) protect and enhance the historic cultural heritage significance of local heritage places and heritage precincts;

and

b) encourage and facilitate the continued use of these items for beneficial purposes; and

c) discourage the deterioration, demolition or removal of buildings and items of assessed heritage significance;

and

d) ensure that new use and development is undertaken in a manner that is sympathetic to, and does not detract

from, the cultural significance of the land, buildings and items and their settings; and

30 http://www.heritage.tas.gov.au/media/pdf/Draft_Works_Guidelines_For_Historic_Heritage_Places%20(2).pdf


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e) conserve specifically identified heritage places by allowing a use that otherwise may be prohibited if this will

demonstratively assist in conserving that place

The code applies to use or development of land that is:

a) within a Heritage Precinct (NMIPS Table E13.1)

b) a local heritage place (NMIPS Table E13.2);

c) a place of identified archaeological significance (NMIPS Table E13.3).

Quorn hall is listed in NMIPS Table E13.2 (Item No. 48) however the listing does not apply to the land affected

by the proposed quarry development.

The proposed development is zoned Rural Resource within the NMIIPS. The purpose of the Rural Resource Zone

is:

• To provide for the sustainable use or development of resources for agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, mining and

other primary industries, including opportunities for resource processing.

• To provide for other use or development that does not constrain or conflict with resource development uses.

• To provide for economic development that is compatible with primary industry, environmental and landscape

values.

• To provide for tourism-related use and development where the sustainable development of rural resources will

not be compromised.

There are no specific heritage management objectives for the Rural Resource Zone beyond the application of

the Heritage Code.

6.1.4 Non statutory heritage considerations

The Register of the National Estate (RNE) was established under the Commonwealth Australian Heritage

Commission Act 1975, which was repealed and replaced by the EPBCA. The RNE was closed to new entries in

2007 and became non-statutory on 19 February 2012. The RNE is now an archive of information about more

than 13,000 places throughout Australia, including many places of local or state significance.

The Tasmanian Historic Places Index (THPI) is a non-statutory database by the Department of Primary Industry,

Water and Environment that has been compiled from regional studies and individual site surveys over many

years. While it does not confer any legal protection status, the THPI can flag potential historic heritage values,

sites of archaeological value or sites recognised by local or community groups or public land management

authorities, including the Parks & Wildlife Service and Forestry Tasmania. With further research and

assessment, THPI sites may meet thresholds for statutory protection. THPI listing may be relevant to the extent

that one of the objectives of the planning process established by the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993

(LUPAA) is to conserve those buildings, areas or other places which are of scientific, aesthetic, architectural or

historical interest, or otherwise of special cultural value.31.

Mineral Resources Tasmania maintains the Mineral Deposits Database, a non-statutory register of mineral

occurrences, prospects and workings of economic interest across the State. The database is primarily designed

to assist mineral exploration and effective land management in areas of strategic importance to future

exploration and to maximise the possibility of new mineral discoveries. The database also contains information

of the activity status of mineral resources, and can be a useful aid to identifying the location of historic mining

heritage. While the database does not contain assessments of heritage significance, the designation of a

prospect or mine as ‘abandoned’ is a useful indicator that the place may have potential heritage values.

The Mineral Exploration Code of Practice32 applies to exploration activities impacting historic mining heritage in

Tasmania. The MRT Mining Heritage Guidelines33 also provides general information about managing impacts on

historic mining heritage that may be useful to consider.

31 LUPAA, Schedule 1, Part 2 32 Mineral Resources Tasmania, Fifth Edition, 2012 33 Mineral Resources Tasmania, 2012


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6.2 Cultural Heritage Management Plan

Historic cultural heritage in Tasmania is managed in accordance with a raft of Commonwealth, State and local

government laws and provisions. While a best heritage management approach advocates conservation of

values based on significance, in practice there is no formal requirement to manage historic heritage values on

privately-owned places that are not entered on statutory heritage lists.

For non-listed places, or places that the Tasmanian Heritage Council does not believe should be registered, any

historic heritage management recommendations are informal and implementation measures voluntary. For the

ease of cross referencing with development concept and planning documents, the following management

recommendations are set out in terms of the specifics of the proposed development as they have been

communicated to the consultant undertaking this assessment.

6.2.1 Potential impacts

Proposed quarry development zone (DTM area)

No historic heritage features were identified within the proposed development area, which includes the

proposed pit, crusher site, haul and access roads. This area is stony with thin free-draining soils, unsuitable for

horticulture and evidently historically used as an unimproved stock run. The proposed development zone does

not intersect the title containing the disused dolerite quarries (LLR1 & LLR2) or the disused Swansea Rd

alignment (LLR3).

Balance of lease

Two disused dolerite quarries (LLR1 & LLR2) are contained within title CT 150296/1, which is encompassed

within the quarry lease but outside the proposed development area. These quarries are assessed within this

report as not meeting HCHA criteria at either State or local levels. The quarries will not be impacted by the

proposed development.

A disused segment of Swansea Rd (LLR3) runs along the northern boundary of the quarry lease area but is

unlikely to be significantly impacted by the proposed development. Potential impacts may arise from increased

vehicular use of the current alignment, upgrade or fencing.

6.2.2 Management recommendations

Known sites

There are no listed/registered historic heritage places within the proposed development zone or balance of the

quarry lease area. Consequently there are no permit requirements for impacting historic heritage values.

The three historic heritage features identified during the survey are outside the proposed development zone

and should not be impacted by scheduled operations. Two of these features (LLR 1 & LLR2) are situated on a

separate title and are unavailable for redevelopment. All three features, while having some historic heritage

values, are assessed as being below the indicative thresholds for State or Local significance established within

Heritage Tasmania guidelines. Notwithstanding, the following recommendation is made.

Recommendation 1.

Intact sections of the disused road alignment (i.e. benched/built up formation) should be protected

from impacts associated with vehicle use and/or upgrades unless there is no prudent or feasible

alternative. Boundary fencing should be run parallel to the road alignment rather than along the built

feature.

Unknown sites

The current study suggests that the potential for additional historic heritage values to exist within the proposed

development zone is negligible. Notwithstanding, Heritage Tasmania’s Pre-development Assessment


05 March 2015


Guidelines advocate the inclusion of an Unanticipated Discovery Plan within development planning instruments

and operational protocols.

For the proposed development the Unanticipated Discovery Plan recommends:

• Ceasing ground-disturbing activities that have the potential to impact the discovery;

• Notifying Heritage Tasmania of the discovery and to seek advice

• Engaging a qualified specialist to assess the significance of the discovery and determine appropriate

actions in consultation with Heritage Tasmania.


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7. References

Anderson, H. 1966 ,‘Clarke, William John (1805–1874)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre

of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clarke-william-john-

1902/text2247

Banks, M. R. 1962. Cainozoic — structure, in: Spry, A.; Banks, M. R. (ed.). The geology of Tasmania. Journal

Geological Society of Australia 9(2):241–243.

Everard, J. L., Sutherland, F. L. & S. M. Forsyth 2007, A late Oligocene basalt from Keach Hill, near Campbell

Town, and its stratigraphic significance. Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 2007/03

Newitt, L. & Jones, A. & Tasmania. Department of Main Roads. Historical Committee. 1988, Convicts &

carriageways: Tasmanian road development until 1880 Dept. of Main Roads, Tasmania Hobart

Von Stieglitz, K. R. 1949, A short history of Ross: with some tales of the pioneers K. R. von Stieglitz,

Evandale, Tas

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