The Ida Bay limestone quarries and tramways, TAS

摘要

Readers may be aware that the society is working on a major book on the sawmills and tramways of the Southern Tasmanian forests, by Scott Clennett, for forthcoming publication. Intertwined with some of the sawmill tramways were several other tramways, including the Ida Bay Railway. Following intensive trawling of the Mercury, supplemented by Mines Department reports and other material, the following notes have been assembled for the period 1915-1950. The editor would be very pleased to receive comments and corrections in relation thereto in order that the most accurate possible account might be included in Scott's book. Some abbreviations are used in this condensed version. In 1915 the Government Geologist, WH Twelvetrees established the existence of high-quality limestone to the south-west of Lune River settlement and to the west of the Lune Sugarloaf. This encouraged the recently-formed Tasmanian Portland Cement, Lime, Brick and Coal Co, which had mineral leases in the area. Unfortunately, the inability to raise capital during the Great War saw its scheme for the manufacture of Portland cement fail.