OBJECTIVES OF THE GROUP 

1. To ensure that the present character and amenity of the Nepean Peninsula (Sorrento-Portsea-Blairgowrie area) is maintained and safeguarded and that developments are in harmony with this object. 

2. To foster the conservation of the vegetation, fauna and natural and historic features of the area. 

THE FORMER COLLINS RIDING 

The Collins Riding consisted of the narrow Nepean Peninsula, bounded on one side by the sheltered waters of Port Phillip Bay and, on the south, by the rugged ocean coastline, now a sector of the Point Nepean National Park. It included the townships of Sorrento, Portsea and Blairgowrie. 

Between the two coastlines the Riding area still retains a great deal of natural bushland to provide sheltered settings for permanent and holiday homes, fine and varied recreational facilities including sailing and golf clubs, historic limestone buildings and a high proportion of parks and reserves. 

HISTORY 

Sorrento has a rich historical heritage. The First Official Settlement in the State of Victoria was established by Lieutenant-Governor David Collins in 1803 at Sullivan Bay, Sorrento. The site of the administrative centre is preserved on the East Sister as the Collins Settlement Historic Site. Administered by the Department of Conservation and Environment, the area includes early graves and a Display Centre. 

From 1840 the local limestone was developed and limeburning became a thriving industry with kilns throughout the Riding and around Rye. Some of the early kilns still exist. George Coppin, theatrical entrepreneur of the time, recognized the attraction of Sorrento and from 1870 led its development as a tourist centre. The pier was built for visitors travelling by boat from Melbourne. 

Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata) silhouetted against the sea at Cameron's Bight. 

Nearby, in the Point Nepean sector of the Point Nepean National Park, are extensive ruins of the fortifications built in the 1880s that made Port Phillip the best defended commercial port in the British Empire. Adjacent to Point Nepean is the old Quarantine complex (which includes a Museum) established in the 1850s. This area is now occupied by the School of Army Health. 

LIMESTONE BUILDINGS 

Sorrento is characterized by its old limestone buildings, many dating back to the Coppin era of the 1870s and constructed in the local limestone. 

The architectural significance of some of the buildings has already been recognized by the 

National Trust - in particular, St. John's Church, the Nepean Historical Society Museum (formerly Mechanics' Institute) and Blairgowrie House. These, and a number of other early limestone buildings, are protected as Historic Sites under the Shire's Planning Scheme. This ensures that new developments in the township are in harmony with the old limestone buildings. 

In the early days, limestone was also used for roads. While these have been replaced, the original limestone pavement remains in the walking tracks established by George Coppin along the ocean coast around the Sorrento Back Beach. 

A fine old limestone cottage in Sorrento.  

Lieutenant J. H. Tuckey was with Collins at the landing at the Eastern Sister in the Spring of 1803. He described the country as follows: 

". . . and the wavelets broke gently on the sandy beach. Rising from it was a succession of green-clad gentle hills studded with trees, spaced as though set by the hand of man, while nearer the sward glowed with flowers of every hue." Early settlers all speak of this "park-like" appearance and John Pascoe Fawkner, then a boy, described the timber as being chiefly the native She-oak and the Honeysuckle (Coast Banksia). The dominant tree in the original grassy woodland was the Drooping She-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata) with scattered trees of Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata), Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) and Wirilda (Acacia retinodes). Evidence indicates that this part of the Peninsula carried no eucalypts, although the coastal form of the Manna Gum (Eucalyptus pryoriana) was in adjoining areas. 

However, during the mid-19th century this picture was drastically altered by the activities of the limeburners and timber cutters who removed all the large trees. The subsequent regeneration was largely of Coast Tea-tree (Leptospermum lævigatum), which had previously been restricted to the coastline. 

The original park-like aspect could be restored by encouraging and planting the above indigenous flora, particularly by extensive replanting of the dominant She-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata). 

Where the Tea-tree cover has been thinned out, native shrubs including the Giant Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa), Coast Beardheath (Leucopogon parviflorus), Coast Correa (Correa alba), Sea-box (Alyxia buxifolia), Coast Daisy Bush (Olearia axillaris) and Common Correa (Correa reflexa) should be encouraged. 

Silky Guinea Flower and ground cover plants such as Coast Swainson pea (Swainson lessertiifolia), Coast Fan Flower (Scaevola pallida) and Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata) would provide a colourful carpet in Spring. 

Encouragement of such planting will help to recreate the link between the present day Collins Riding and its historic past. Nepean Conservation Group Inc. has available on request a detailed leaflet dealing with planting of trees and shrubs indigenous to the area. 

PRESERVATION OF OUR BUSHLAND 

Many ratepayers and residents have been attracted to the Nepean Peninsula to escape the suburban environment of Melbourne. A large part of the former Collins Riding has already been subdivided into suburban blocks. To preserve the bushland atmosphere we urge you to consider these guidelines when developing your property: 

• Keep as much as possible of the natural Tea Tree when clearing to build a house, retaining a screen of trees between the house and the road. (Note: In Residential Zones clearing is not permitted within 10 metres of the front boundary other than for access, under the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme.)

• Retain the natural trees on the road reserve to provide a screen from dust and noise.

• Replant with native trees including the Sheoak, Melaleuca and Tea Tree.

• Select fences that merge rather than intrude on the environment.

• Avoid suburban-like development by blending the house into its natural surroundings.