Local Government
Shark Bay
Region
Gascoyne
Lot 55 Hamelin Pool Rd Shark Bay
Shark Bay
Gascoyne
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 12 Dec 1997 | Category 2 | |
The Shell Quarry has significance as evidence of the mining of coquina shell blocks, used for the construction of a number of buildings in Shark Bay - an unusual solution to a lack of building materials. As a group the buildings and relics of the Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station Precinct make an important contribution to providing a better understanding of the development of the Shark Bay district, with each place enhancing the significance of the others.
The Shell Quarry is located in a small precinct which also includes the former Hamelin Pool Post and Telegraph Office (Place No. 17), harness shed, the former Post Master's Quarters (Place No. 18) and several other recently constructed buildings. Nearby is also a grave (Place No. 19) and a flagpole (Place No. 20). The SHELL QUARRY, which is situated in a small gully between the flagpole and the ocean, is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 metres in depth and 150 metres in length. The coquina shell quarry features several areas of carved steps, evidence of the workings.
An information plaque at the quarry states that early settlers in the area had few sources of timber or rock for building and therefore coquina shell blocks were used as a substitute building material in some instances. Excavated with a crosscut saw, blocks from this quarry were used mainly in the 1950s and 60s to construct numerous buildings, including several station homesteads and St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Denham. (Place No. 3) Today shell blocks from this quarry are taken only to maintain the historic buildings in Shark Bay. (Source: Plaque)
Integrity: High Degree
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaque |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | MINING | Other |
| Original Use | MINING | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OCCUPATIONS | Hospitality industry & tourism |
| OCCUPATIONS | Mining {incl. mineral processing} |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.