State Heritage Register Nomination Formagwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au/GP Submissions for...

State Heritage Register Nomination Form

Cliefden Caves Last printed 23/10/2014 Page 1

S:\ADVOCACY\Landscape Advocacy Committee\Cliefden Caves LCA\StateHeritageRegisterNominationFormCliefdenCaves2.doc

Issue of 24/06/2008 Design by C. Loffi

Important notes for nominators

Before completing this form, read the Guideline for Nominations to the State Heritage Register * to check whether a nomination is appropriate.

You should only nominate an item you believe to be particularly important in the context of all of NSW, beyond the local area or region.

This is because only items of state heritage significance are eligible for listing on the State Heritage Register.

When completing this form note that:

It must be completed and submitted electronically.*

Follow the guideline* to fill out the form accurately.

YELLOW sections of this form are mandatory for your nomination

to be accepted for consideration.

BLUE sections of this form are recommended, but are not essential,

unless otherwise indicated in the form.

The completed form must show how the nominated place is state significant to meet the criteria for listing on the register.

Incomplete nominations, or those with insufficient information, may not be accepted.

A complete and accurate nomination form, with a clear assessment of state significance of the place or object, will assist in the timely consideration of your nomination.

* Download this form and guideline at: www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/nominating

A. Nominated place

1. Name

Name of place / object: Cliefden Caves Other or former name(s):

Cliefden Caves Limestone Group and the Malongulli Formation

2. Location

Street address*: 532 (no.) Boonderoo Road (street name)

Mandurama (suburb / town)

Alternate street address: (no.) (street name) (suburb / town)

Local government area: Cowra Council and Blayney Shire Council

Land parcel(s)*:

See Boundary

Description later in

this document for

Lot/DP information (Lot no/s)

(section no.) (DP no.)

(Lot no/s) (section no.) (DP no.) (Lot no/s) (section no.) (DP no.)

Co-ordinates*: -33.583402 (Latitude) 148.895368

(Longitude) (Datum)

*At least one of these three location details must be provided. For a movable object, enter its principal location. If the place has no street number, provide land parcels. If it has no land parcels, provide Co-ordinates and a map.

3. Extent of nomination

http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/nominating



S:\ADVOCACY\Landscape Advocacy Committee\Cliefden Caves LCA\StateHeritageRegisterNominationFormCliefdenCaves2.doc

Issue of 24/06/2008 Design by C. Loffi

Curtilage map of nominated area:

Source of map or plan: Six Maps - Department of Lands (Lands) Spatial Information

eXchange

Boundary description (in words):

The boundary of the Cliefden Caves Conservation Area is indicated

by the red line on the Curtilage Map of the nominated area and

includes or partly includes the following allotments - Pt Lot 1 DP

170590, Lot A, Pt Lots B & C DP 322394, Pt Lot 22/23, DP

745991, Pt Lots 2/3, Pt Lot 4/5, Pt Lot 8, Lot 13, Lot 44, Pt Lot 77,

Pt Lot 80, Pt Lot 82, Pt Lots 94/5, Lot 95, Lots 97/98/99, Lot 101, Pt

Lot 104, Lot 109/110, Lot 137 DP 750369, Lot 34, Lot 49, Pt Lot

54, Lot 161 DP 750386, Pt Lot 62, Lot 68 DP 750395, Pt Lots 1/2,

Lot 3, Lot 4, DP 795356, Pt Lot 1 DP 797976, Pt Lot 1 DP 998772,



S:\ADVOCACY\Landscape Advocacy Committee\Cliefden Caves LCA\StateHeritageRegisterNominationFormCliefdenCaves2.doc Issue of 16/06/2008

Design by C. Loffi

Pt Lots 6/7 DP 1086471, Lot 1 & 2 DP 1091287, Pt Lot 2/3 DP

1099853, Pt Lot 281 DP 1128242, Pt Lots 102/103/104 DP

1170189, Pt Lot 82 DP 1183542, Pt Lot 1 DP 1194422

4. Ownership

Name of owner(s): Anthony Dunhill Contact person: Anthony Dunhill Contact position: owner Postal address: 531 Boonderoo Road (street address or postal box)

Mandurama (suburb or town)

NSW (state) 2792 (post code)

Phone number: (02) 6367 5019

Ownership explanation: The properties affected by the Cliefden Caves Conservation Area

are ‘Boonderoo’, ‘Vandon’, ‘Angullong’ and ‘Millamolong’.

B. Significance

5. Why is it important in NSW?

Statement of state significance:

Cliefden Caves are of State Heritage Significance because they have

the distinction of being the site of the first discovery of limestone in

mainland Australia (Oxley 1820) and was the first fossiliferous

Ordovician limestone recognised in New South Wales (Stevens,

1950).

Ordovician period rocks in the vicinity of Cliefden Caves contain

some of the most scientifically valuable (in some cases unique) fossils

in Australia, with several examples of global significance. Specimens

documented in the geological literature include the world’s oldest

known in situ brachiopod shell beds (from Fossil Hill), the earliest

rugose corals found anywhere on Earth (also from Fossil Hill), and

one of the most diverse deepwater sponge faunas ever recorded (near

Trilobite Hill), living on an oceanic slope environment that is very

rarely preserved in the geological record.

Many fossil genera and species were first described from Fossil Hill,

the adjacent Dunhill Bluff, or Trilobite Hill. Several of these fossil

species, such as the trimerellide brachiopod Belubula spectacula occur

nowhere else in the world (the genus is only recognized in two places

– Cliefden Caves and Zhuhuia in south China – which in itself

provides critical evidence of plate tectonic movement when these

areas in the Ordovician Period were situated considerably more

closely than today. In terms of modern biological conservation, the

known population of Belubula spectacula (about 20 individuals at

most) can be argued to be equivalent in scientific importance to the

discovery of the Wollemi Pine.




Design by C. Loffi

Fossil Hill and Trilobite Hill have long been recognized as iconic

examples of Australia’s palaeontological heritage. At least 62

scientific papers have been published in a variety of international

journals, documenting 191 genera and 263 species of fossils from

these and other sites in the vicinity of Cliefden Caves; of these, 45

genera and 101 species are unique to the area. The Cliefden Caves

area is also highly significant in the geological evolution of New

South Wales, with limestones 363 metres thick deposited there during

a hiatus lasting approximately 5 million years when intense volcanic

and intrusive activity characterised the Macquarie Volcanic Province

of the Lachlan Orogen temporarily ceased.

Given the global scientific significance of the Cliefden Caves area, it

is not surprising that it has been the focus of several field visits

associated with major international palaeontological conferences in

recent years. Many palaeontologists from overseas have visited the

area, either on these conference excursions or as part of international

scientific collaborative projects to study the rich fossil heritage of this

biodiversity hotspot in Late Ordovician time, when the area was an

island located in the northern tropical zone.

Cliefden Caves area has outstanding palaeontological scientific value,

of Australian heritage significance and arguably worthy of World

Heritage Listing.

The caves are important in the course of the natural history of NSW as

mud deposits in the caves contain unusual minerals and are an

important record of past environments and Tufa Dams on Davys

Creek provide evidence of past climate change events.

Cliefden Caves have aesthetic significance as one of the most

cavernous limestone areas in New South Wales decorated with the full

range of speleothems including rare blue stalactites, stalagmites,

columns, Helictites (the “Helictite Wall” of Main Cliefden Cave) and

“bacon” draperies.

The site has scientific (geological) significance as it contains abundant

examples of some of the earliest shell beds in the geological record

and the earliest known rugose corals (Webby, 1971) (an extinct order

of coral that were abundant in Middle Ordovician to Late Permian

seas) (Webby & Percival, 1983). More than 180 fossil species have

been recorded from the Cliefden Caves Limestone Group and the

overlying Malongulli Formation. The Cliefden Caves - Belubula River

Valley sites contain the best exposures of Late Ordovician island

marine invertebrate fossil assemblages in Australia. It is one of the

major Ordovician fossil sites in New South Wales. The area is one of

the best documented Late Ordovician successions in Australia.

Geologists around the world regard it as a superb example of an




Design by C. Loffi

Ordovician island faunal assemblage.

Cliefden Caves also have scientific significance because the

ecologically vulnerable Eastern Bentwing bat (Miniopterus

schreibersii oceanensis) has been recorded in Gable Cave.

Cliefden Caves possesses rare and endangered aspects of the natural

history of NSW. The blue speleothems vary from very pale blue

flowstone in Taplow Maze Cave to the azure blue stalactites in

Boonderoo and Murder Cave and are rare and world renowned. The

blues and greens of the earth's surface are exceptionally rare in

underground Australia being reported from Cliefden Caves in New

South Wales and Mole Creek Caves in Tasmania. Also rare is the

presence of the thermal spring on the Belubula River near the caves. It

is one of only three thermal springs associated with Karst in NSW.

The caves have high research potential as indicated by the presence of

part of the skeleton of an Aboriginal man in Nothing Cave, dating

from around 7,000 years before present. Examination of the skeleton

provided evidence of the life that this man had led and the remaining

part of his skeleton is believed to be still within the cave system. The

caves are likely to contain other important skeletal remains which can

contribute to a better understanding of human occupation of this area,

thousands of years ago. Comparisons: Cliefden Caves are regarded as being of equal significance and

importance to the much more well known State Heritage Register

Listed Jenolan Caves. The 2011 Guide to NSW Karst and Caves,

produced by the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage notes that

"In addition to these values (native animal refuge or habitat), lesser

known karst environments can also contain extensive and well-

developed karst features, like those at Cliefden and Walli. In some

cases these features are of regional and state significance, highlighting

the importance of all karst environments, whether publicly or privately

managed."

C. Description

6. Existing place or object

Description: The Cliefden Caves are located on the Belubula River, New South

Wales, between the towns of Carcoar and Canowindra, about 20 km

east of Canowindra. There are over 100 caves at Cliefden. Cliefden

Caves is one of the most cavernous limestone areas in New South

Wales. The caves at Cliefden have a network pattern guided by

geological structure. Although they are located close to the Belubula

River, there is no evidence that streams or the river, have ever flowed

through the caves. The caves show evidence of solution by rising

groundwater possibly related to the adjacent thermal spring.




Design by C. Loffi

One of the most significant caves at Cliefden is Taplow Maze Cave

with a network of passages 3 km long. Mud deposits in the caves

contain unusual minerals and are an important record of past

environments. Some of the caves record higher temperatures than is

usual for caves in NSW. The caves are well decorated with the full

range of speleothems, the quality of which have been likened to those

of Jenolan Caves, NSW.

Some of the caves also contain rare blue stalactites, stalagmites and

columns. Some caves provide important habitat for threatened bat

species. All the major caves are locked and gated to protect them,

however speleological and scientific work is allowed under a strict

permit system.

Some representative deposits from the Cliefden Caves, including rare

blue stalactites, are preserved in the collections and displays of the

Australian Museum. Of particular importance are excellent examples

of the curved speleothems termed helictites (“mysteries” of early

authors) which form a feature in Main Cliefden Cave known as

Helictitite Wall.

A thermal spring is located on the Belubula River near the caves. It is

one of only three thermal springs associated with karst in NSW. It was

first recorded by Wilkinson in 1892, and an analysis of the water

appears in a report by Oliver Trickett in 1908.

The caves have been known for well over a century i.e. at least 122

years, and were recorded by C. S. Wilkinson in 1892 and Oliver

Trickett in 1908, and the limestone was extensively mapped by Carne

and Jones in 1919. In the 1950s Stevens was able to show the

limestone was of Ordovician age, the first recording of this age

limestone in New South Wales. It is particularly rich in fossil material

and the area has become known as one of the best documented Late

Ordovician successions in Australia. Geologists around the world

regard it as a superb example of an Ordovician island faunal

assemblage.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service states that "...lesser

known karst environments can also contain extensive and well-

developed karst features, like those at Cliefden and Walli. In some

cases these features are of regional and state significance, highlighting

the importance of all karst environments, whether publicly or privately

managed." The report also states that "Thermal springs ... are rare in

NSW and, besides Wee Jasper, occur only at Cliefden and

Yarrangobilly caves. The report also describes Cliefden Caves as an

important karst site.




Design by C. Loffi

The book "Australia's fossil heritage" (2012) states that "The site is

unusual because of the well exposed, diverse faunas showing the

progression from nearshore to deep water marine environments. It

contains abundant examples of some of the earliest shell beds in the

geological record and the earliest rugose corals known. More than 180

species have been recorded from the Cliefden Caves Limestone Group

and the Malongulli Formation. The Cliefden Caves - Belubula River

Valley sites contain the best exposures of Late Ordovician island

marine invertebrate fossil assemblages in Australia. The sites include

the type localities for over 100 species."

The Area can be geologically described as follows. Upstream from the

prominent north/south quartzite ridge of Late Devonian age which

forms the Needles Gorge, the Belubula Valley is excavated in Late

Ordovician sediments including the Cliefden Caves Limestone. The

lower thinly bedded unit of this formation is spectacularly exposed on

the aptly named Fossil Hill. The massive middle member forms high

cliffs flanking the Belubula River in the vicinity of Trilobite Hill and

Cliefden Caves. A warm spring is situated adjacent to the Belubula

downstream from Copper Mine Creek. Secondary limestone

deposition is evident on Davys Creek with formation of travertine

terraces.

Davys Creek is one of the few calcite-precipitating (tufa-depositing)

streams in New South Wales and probably the most extensive. Studies

undertaken of the aggradation and incision of tufa dams on Davys

Creek have contributed to knowledge of the late Holocene period

change, in an area where there has been little previous research. The

research has indicated that the climate became moister between 1500

and 1600 years BP.

New caves are being found and it is possible that they may occur

throughout the entire Cliefden Caves limestone formation. The present

distribution of caves from Yarrawigah Cave in the north south south-

east to Malongulli Cave occurs over a distance of approximately seven

kilometres.

The ecologically vulnerable Eastern Bentwing bat (Miniopterus

schreibersii oceanensis) has been recorded in Gable Cave. The Eastern

Horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus megaphyllus) has been recorded in

Cliefden Main Cave and Transmission Cave.

On Island Flat near Fossil Hill are the ruins of the "Cliefden Springs"

property which was thought to have been built about 1831 and burnt

down in 1839.




Design by C. Loffi

Condition of fabric and/or archaeological potential:

The caves system and surface fossil beds are in excellent condition

being on private property and having been well protected. There is

considerable archaeological potential.

Integrity / intactness: The caves system and surface fossil beds are intact and have a high

degree of integrity.

Modifications Dates: There have been no significant modifications to the caves system and

surface fossil beds.

Date you inspected the place for this description:

The description in this nomination has been prepared by geologists

and speleologists who have been visiting the area for decades.

Current use*: Agricultural land and controlled visits by scientists and at least nine

speleological societies. Original or former use(s)*:

Aboriginal country, then agricultural lands in more recent times.

Further comments: -

Illustrations can be inserted as images in section J.

* These details must be entered if you are basing the significance of the place or object on its past or present use.

D. Historical outline

7. Origins and historical evolution

Years of construction*:

Ordovician Period - 444 + million

years B.P. (start year) Limestone formation ongoing (finish year)

Designer / architect*: - Maker/ builder: - Historical outline of place or object:

The Cliefden Caves Limestone was the first discovered in Australia,

being recorded on 24 May 1815 during the explorations of surveyor

George Evans only 2 years after the crossing of the Blue Mountains.

Reference was also made to it by surveyor John Oxley in 1817.

“I never saw a country better adapted for the grazing of all kinds of

stock than that we passed over this day. The limestone, which is the

first that has hitherto been discovered in Australia, abounds in the

valley where we halted; the sides and abrupt projections of the hills

being composed entirely of it, and worn by the operation of time into a

thousand whimsical shapes and forms. A small stream runs through

the valley, which in June 1815 was dry; the bottom of this rivulet was

covered with a variety of stones, but the bases of the hills which

projected into it, and from which the earth had been washed, were of

pure limestone of a bluish grey colour.” John Oxley, 1817.

The first land grants, of 2460 acres each at Cliefden Springs and




Design by C. Loffi

Cliefden, were taken up by brothers F.J. and W.M. Rothery in 1832.

In 1863 the Cliefden property was raided by the bushranger, Ben Hall

and his gang and the Rothery family were held up. Bullet holes from

the discharging of firearms during the raid are still evident on the barn

at the homestead.

It is here that the first reference to the caves is made. According to the

locals at the time, Hall used these caves as a refuge from pursuing

police, and knew one so well that “he ducked into it and emerged on

the other side of the river, leaving the pursuing constables far behind!”

In the 1870s, a shepherd was murdered while tending his flocks and

the sum of one pound one shilling was taken. His body was

dismembered by a wild animal and fell into the daylight hole of Stable

Cave. His murderer subsequently returned to the scene of his crime,

was caught, confessed and was hanged.

The finding of some of the caves by new settlers is credited to the

“Hosies” of “Carlton”, north of the caves. The name “W. F. Hosie”

appears in Gable and Main Caves with the date 1870, but it is possible

that he had been into these caves before this date.

However, there is some evidence that Christian Ritmeester may have

been the first non-Aboriginal person to find the caves at Cliefden.

When the Orange Speleological Society first entered Boonderoo Cave

in the early 1960s, a tin was found and in it was a slip of paper.

Written on it was “Carl Hosie – 1876”.

Between 1954 and 1974 speleological activities were carried out by

more than nine different societies including Sydney Speleological

Society, Sydney University Speleological Society, Blue Mountains

Speleological Club, Cave Exploration Group (SA) Incorporated,

Victorian Speleological Association, Macquarie University

Speleological Investigation Group, University of NSW Speleological

Society, Orange Speleological Society and the Highland Caving

Group.

In 1972 four clubs (Orange Speleological Society, Sydney University

Speleological Society, University of NSW Speleological Society and

the Highland Caving Group) joined forces to systematically

investigate the area. This involved: -

a) Systematic exploration of all known caves in the hope of

finding new extensions.

b) High grade surveys of all known caves.

c) Surface trogging (systematically searching the surface ground




Design by C. Loffi

for cave entrances) of all outcrops.

d) Numbering and tagging of all cave entrances.

e) To cover the geological, paleontological and historical aspects

of the area.

Till November, 1974, this work had produced the following results –

a) 12 caves have been discovered. The main ones are Malongulli

(284 metres long), Noonameena (240 metres), Nibicon (103 metres),

Tet-anus (50 metres) and Barumbarungal (30 metres), with Malongulli

and Noonameena still showing promise of further extension.

b) Extensions have been added to Main Cliefden, Boonderoo,

Gable and Trapdoor (by diving).

c) The number of tagged caves has gone up from 29 to 71. This

includes caves with more than one entrance.

d) 14 small caves are yet to be surveyed. Surveys of Main Cave,

Murder, Taplow, Cable and Yarrowigah were almost completed.

In early June 1985, members of the New South Wales Speleological

Society were investigating a newly discovered cave (Nothing Cave -

CL 93) and came upon a number of well preserved bones scattered on

and in a loose lens of sterile cave sediment. A rumour of a possible

murder in the Cowra region many years earlier fuelled speculations

and the National Parks & Wildlife Service commissioned an

investigation of the bones by Colin Pardoe and Stephen Webb

(physical anthropologists).

This investigation concluded that the bones were those of an

Aboriginal man around 177-178 cm (about 5’ 9”) tall, probably more

than 40 years old. Two radiocarbon dating methods gave a date for the

skeletal remains of 6,250 ± 430 years before present and 7,520 ± 220

years before present.

It is concluded that the skeleton was not buried in the cave, but instead

that the individual died in an accident. The bones of the individual

were in a chamber, grouped together and well preserved. Only the

lower part of the body was represented. There was no evidence of

human intervention in the form of burial, torches, material culture or

footprints.

The tiny cave entrance and immediate 4 metre drop would have made

it almost impossible to enter without a rope. It would be difficult for

such a large man to get in through the 20 x 40 cm entrance and

moving a body or bundle burial would prove even more difficult. It

appeared unlikely that the individual entered here, became trapped and

died: only subsequent vandalism would account for the present array

of bones left in the chamber, and this possibility was discounted.




Design by C. Loffi

One solution suggested for the mystery is death by misadventure. It is

suggested that the blocked passage rising from the highest point in the

chamber may have been a chimney or sink-hole into which the

prehistoric hunter fell. He then would have died in the vertical passage

and ultimately some of the skeletal elements may have dropped into

the chamber and rolled to their present location, while the upper part

of the body remains entombed within the now plugged chimney.

Examination of the skeletal remains indicated that the man had been

susceptible to repeated privation in childhood, had adapted to the

difficult terrain and had arthritic deterioration with advancing years,

no doubt exacerbated by the wet chill of winter.

* These details must be entered (as shown in the guideline) if you are basing the significance of the place or object on its architectural or technical qualities or its historical period of construction.

Historical maps, photographs or other illustrations that help to explain the history of the place can be inserted in section J.

8. Historical themes represented

National theme(s): Select one or more of 1-9. New line for each selected.

1. Tracing the natural evolution of Australia 3. Developing local, regional, national economies 8. Developing Australia's cultural life

State theme(s): Select one or more for each above selected National theme 1-9. New line for each selected.

Within National themes 1-3:

1. Environment - naturally evolved 3. Environment - cultural landscape 3. Science 3. Exploration Within National themes 4-9:

8. Leisure

E. Criteria

9. Assessment under Heritage Council criteria of state significance

A. It is important in the course or pattern of the cultural or natural history of NSW.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because it is

the site of the first discovery of limestone in mainland Australia and

the first fossiliferous Ordovician limestone recognised in New South

Wales. The caves are important in the course of the natural history of

NSW as mud deposits in the caves contain unusual minerals and are

an important record of past environments. Tufa Dams on Davys Creek

provide evidence of past climate change events.

Cliefden Caves area is also highly significant in the geological




Design by C. Loffi

evolution of New South Wales, with limestones 363 metres thick

deposited there during a hiatus lasting approximately 5 million years

when intense volcanic and intrusive activity characterised the

Macquarie Volcanic Province of the Lachlan Orogen (Lachlan Fold

Belt) temporarily ceased.

B. It has a strong or special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons of importance in the cultural or natural history of NSW.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because they

provide evidence of a significant human occupation more than 6,000

years before the present day through examination of skeletal remains

which provide an indication of how the local people lived at this time.

C. It is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in NSW.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because of its

aesthetic distinction and landmark qualities. The caves are one of the

most carvernous limestone areas in New South Wales decorated with

the full range of speleotherms including rare blue stalactites,

stalagmites, columns, Helictites (the "Helictite Wall" of Main

Cliefden Cave) and "bacon" draperies.

D. It has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in NSW for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because of

their strong and special association with the speleological groups who

visit, document and map the caves and the scientific community who

investigate the fossil beds and the caves and thermal spring. Fossil

Hill and Trilobite Hill have long been recognized as iconic examples

of Australia’s palaeontological heritage. At least 62 scientific papers

have been published in a variety of international journals and it has

been the focus of several field visits associated with major

international palaeontological conferences in recent years. Many

palaeontologists from overseas have visited the area, either on these

conference excursions or as part of international scientific

collaborative projects to study the rich fossil heritage of this

biodiversity hotspot in Late Ordovician time, when the area was an

island located in the northern tropical zone.

E. It has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of NSW.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because of its

potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding

of the natural history of NSW. The mud deposits in the caves contain

unusual minerals and are an important record of past environments.

The Cliefden Caves - Belubula River Valley sites contain the best

exposures of Late Ordovician island marine invertebrate fossil

assemblages in Australia. Geologists around the world regard it as a

superb example of an Ordovician island faunal assemblage.




Design by C. Loffi

F. It possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of NSW.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because they

possess rare and endangered aspects of the natural history of NSW.

The blue speleothems vary from very pale blue flowstone in Taplow

Maze Cave to the azure blue stalactites in Boonderoo and Murder

Cave and are rare and world renowned. The blues and greens of the

earth's surface are exceptionally rare in underground Australia being

reported from Cliefden Caves in New South Wales and Mole Creek

Caves in Tasmania. Also rare is the presence of the thermal spring on

the Belubula River near the caves. It is one of only three thermal

springs associated with Karst in NSW.

Ordovician period rocks in the vicinity of Cliefden Caves contain

some of the most scientifically valuable (in some cases unique) fossils

in Australia, with several examples of global significance. Specimens

documented in the geological literature include the world’s oldest

known in situ brachiopod shell beds (from Fossil Hill), the earliest

rugose corals found anywhere on Earth (also from Fossil Hill), and

one of the most diverse deepwater sponge faunas ever recorded (near

Trilobite Hill), living on an oceanic slope environment that is very

rarely preserved in the geological record.

Many fossil genera and species were first described from Fossil Hill,

the adjacent Dunhill Bluff, or Trilobite Hill. Several of these fossil

species, such as the trimerellide brachiopod Belubula spectacula occur

nowhere else in the world (the genus is only recognized in two places

– Cliefden Caves and Zhuhuia in south China – which in itself

provides critical evidence of plate tectonic movement when these

areas in the Ordovician Period were situated considerably more

closely than today. In terms of modern biological conservation, the

known population of Belubula spectacula (about 20 individuals at

most) can be argued to be equivalent in scientific importance to the

discovery of the Wollemi Pine.

62 scientific papers have been published in a variety of international

journals, documenting 191 genera and 263 species of fossils from

Fossil Hill, Trilobite Hill and other sites in the vicinity of Cliefden

Caves; of these, 45 genera and 101 species are unique to the area. G. It is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/ environments in NSW.

Cliefden Caves meet this criterion of State Significance because the

site is one of the best documented Late Ordovician successions in

Australia. Geologists around the world regard it as a superb example

of an Ordovician island faunal assemblage. It is the type locality for

thirty two new species of fossil corals, stromatoporoids, trilobites,

brachiopods, bryozoa, echinoderms and graptolites, and is an

outstanding research and educational area with abundant well

preserved fossils, particularly at Fossil Hill and Trilobite Hill. It

contains abundant examples of some of the earliest shell beds in the

geological record and the earliest known rugose corals (Webby, 1971)

(an extinct order of coral that were abundant in Middle Ordovician to

Late Permian seas) (Webby & Percival, 1983). More than 180 fossil




Design by C. Loffi

species have been recorded from the Cliefden Caves Limestone Group

and the overlying Malongulli Formation. The Cliefden Caves -

Belubula River Valley sites contain the best exposures of Late

Ordovician island marine invertebrate fossil assemblages in Australia.

It is one of the major Ordovician fossil sites in New South Wales. The

area is one of the best documented Late Ordovician successions in

Australia. Geologists around the world regard it as a superb example

of an Ordovician island faunal assemblage.

F. Listings

10. Existing heritage listings

Check one box for each of the following listings:

Listed Not listed

Local environmental plan (LEP) - heritage item (call the local council to confirm)

Regional environmental plan (REP) - heritage item (call the local council to confirm)

LEP - Conservation area (call the local council to confirm)

Draft LEP - Draft heritage item (call the local council to confirm)

Draft LEP - Draft conservation area (call the local council to confirm)

State Heritage Register (search the register at www.heritage.nsw.gov.au)

National Trust register (call the National Trust to confirm)

Aboriginal heritage information management system (by Dept. of Environment & Conservation)

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Register of 20th

Century Architecture (call the RAIA)

National shipwreck database (search maritime.heritage.nsw.gov.au/public/welcome.cfm)

Engineers Australia list (call Engineers Australia to confirm)

National Heritage List (search Australian Heritage Database www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl)

Commonwealth Heritage List (search above Australian Heritage Database)

Register of the National Estate (search above Australian Heritage Database)

NSW agency heritage and conservation section 170 register (call owner or occupier Agency)

Other listings: The Geological Heritage of New South Wales, 1979 - Item B.7

G. Photograph

11. Image 1




Design by C. Loffi

Principal photograph of place or object:

Subject of photo: Cliefden Caves - Stalactites

Date of photo: April, 2012

Photographer: Kevin Moore

Copyright holder: Kevin Moore

Include additional photographs and images in section J.




Design by C. Loffi

If possible, please also provide a high resolution, publication-quality copy of this image saved to disk (or as non-digital prints) with the signed hard-copy of the nomination form.

H. Author

12. Primary author of this form

Your name: Mr Graham (first) Quint (family)

Organisation: The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Position: Director - Advocacy

Daytime phone number:

(02) 9258 0179

Fax number:

Postal address: GPO Box 518 (street address or postal box)

Sydney (suburb or town)


Email address: [email protected]

Date form completed: 17 October, 2014

13. References used for completing this form

Author Title Publisher Repository / location Year published

1. Keith Oliver A Brief History of

Cliefden Caves

SPAR 39,

page 11 National Trust 1974

2.

The

Australian

Heritage

Council

Australia's Fossil

Heritage - A

Catalogue of

Important Fossil

Sites

CSIRO

Publishing National Trust 2012

3. Ken Turner

Chromophores

Producing Blue

Speleothems at

Cliefden, NSW

Helictite,

38(1) National Trust 2002

4. Ian G.

Percival

Cliefden Caves -

Belubula River

Valley

The

Geological

Heritage of

New South

Wales

Australian Heritage

Commission and the

Planning Commission of

New South wales

1979

5.

Cliefden Caves and

Needle Gap Areas,

Cliefden Caves via

Lyndhurst, NSW

Australia

Australian

Heritage

Database,

Place ID

958

http://www.environment.

gov.au/cgi-

bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=

place_detail;place_place_id

=958

11 Aug,

1987

6.

Journal of

the Sydney

Speleological

Society,

1989, 33(6)

Dazzling Beauty of

Cliefden Little-

known Caves,

Worth the Risk

Reprinted

from the

(Sydney)

Sun, 24

April, 1934

National Trust 1934




Design by C. Loffi

7.

Journals of Two

Expeditions into

the Interior of New

South Wales, by

order of the British

Government in the

years 1817-1818

The

University

of Adelaide

Ebook 2014

8. N. C.

Stevens

Ordovician

Stratigraphy at

Cliefden Caves,

near Mandurama,

NSW

Proceedings

of the

Linnean

Society of

NSW, Vol.

LXXVII,

Page

Numbers

114-120

National Trust 1952

9.

Colin Pardoe

& Stephen

Webb

Prehistoric Human

Skeletal Remains

from Cowra and

the Macquarie

Marsh, New South

Wales

Australian

Institute of

Aboriginal

Studies;

Department

of

Prehistory,

Research

School of

Pacific

Studies,

Australian

National

University

National Trust

10.

R.

Armstrong,

L. Osborne

Structure,

Sediments and

Speleogenesis at

Cliefden Caves,

New South Wales

Helectite 16

(1):5 National Trust 1978

11. B. D. Webby

Ordovician genus

Hillophyllum and

the early history of

rugose corals with

acanthine septa

Lethaia

4(2): 153-

168

National Trust 1971

12.

B. D.

Webby, and

I. G. Percival

Elery

Hamilton-

Ordovician

trimerellacean

Brachipod shell

beds

Beneath the

Surface: A Natural

Lethaia,

16:215-232

UNSW

Press, Page

National Trust

National Trust

1983

2003




Design by C. Loffi

Smith, Brian

Finlayson

Steve Lucas

Karen D.

Carthew &

Russell N.

Drysdale

History of

Australian Caves

The Downstream

Hydrogeochemistry

of Carbonate

Spring Waters in

Davys Creek,

central NSW

Late Holocene

Fluvial Change in a

Tufa-depositing

Stream: Davys

Creek, New South

Wales, Australia

60

BSC

Honours

Thesis

Macquarie

University

National Trust

2000

May,

2010

14. Signed by author

Author (sign and print name) Dated

15. Signed by copyright holder(s) of image(s)

Image copyright holder (sign and print name) Dated



Signing 14 and 15 confirms the author of this form and copyright holder(s) of images give permission for the Heritage Branch to use non-confidential information and images entered in this form for any purpose related to processing the nomination. Possible uses include (but are not limited to) publication on the Heritage Branch




Design by C. Loffi

website, newsletter, reports or other publications. The author of the form, image copyright holder(s) and photographer(s) will be acknowledged when published.

I. Nominator

16. Nominator to be contacted by Heritage Branch

Name: Mr Graham (first) Quint (family) Organisation: The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Position in organisation:

Director - Advocacy

Daytime phone number: (02) 9258 0179

Fax number:

Postal address: GPO Box 518 (street address or postal box)

Sydney (suburb or town)



Alternate contact name:

Mr Tony (first) Brassil (family)

Position in organisation:

Conservation Officer

Daytime phone number:

Fax number: Postal address:


17. Reasons for nomination

Background or reasons for nomination:

18. Form signed by nominator for submitting

Nominator (sign and print name) Dated

CHECKLIST Spell check your form - double click here (or F7)

Before submitting this form, check that you have:

completed all yellow sections, and other sections marked as essential. completed blue sections wherever possible. explained why the place or object is state significant in the statement of state




Design by C. Loffi

significance. explained how one or more of the criterion has been fulfilled for listing. inserted photographs, maps and other illustrations as digital or scanned images. acknowledged all sources and references you used. signed and dated this form. obtained the nominator’s and image copyright holders’ signatures. if possible, attached a disk (or non-digital prints) for posting select image/s of high resolution, suitable for publication.

TO SUBMIT THIS NOMINATION:

Post all of the following:

1. a signed hard-copy of the form;

2. an electronic copy of the completed form saved to disk (unless you prefer to email it separately); and

3. other attachments, such as high-resolution copies of photographs suitable for publication.

Addressed to:

The Director Heritage Branch NSW Department of Planning Locked Bag 5020 Parramatta NSW 2124

If an electronic copy of the form is not posted, email it instead to:

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




Design by C. Loffi

J. Additional photographs, maps or other images

Image 2

Photograph or other image:

Subject of image: Cliefden Caves - Shawl Formation

Date of image: April, 2012

Photographer or author: Kevin Moore


Image 3


Subject of image: Cliefden Caves - Formation






Design by C. Loffi





Design by C. Loffi

Image 4


Subject of image: Cliefden Caves Date of image: April, 2012

Photographer or author: Thomas Wilson

Copyright holder: Thomas Wilson

Image 5


Subject of image: Cliefden Caves







Design by C. Loffi

Image 6






Image 7









Design by C. Loffi

Image 8


Subject of image: Fossil Hill Date of image: April, 2012

Photographer or author: Bruce Welch

Copyright holder: Bruce Welch

Image 9




Photographer or author: Phil Maynard

Copyright holder: Phil Maynard




Design by C. Loffi

Image 10






Image 11









Design by C. Loffi

Image 12


Subject of image: Eastern Horseshoe Bat in Main and Transmission Caves


Photographer or author: Gary Whitby

Copyright holder: Gary Whitby

Image 13


Subject of image: World famous blue stalactite


Photographer or author: Gary Whitby

Copyright holder: Gary Whitby




Design by C. Loffi

Image 14


Subject of image: Cliefden Springs Property Ruins, Island Flat near Fossil Hill, burnt

down 1839


Photographer or author: Bruce Welch

Copyright holder: Bruce Welch

Image 15


Subject of image: Proposed Dam on the Belubula River above the Cliefden Caves

Date of image: 2014

Photographer or author: Harrison Burkitt Copyright holder: Harrison Burkitt

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