South Coast NSW History Story
ST GEORGES BASIN
St Georges Basin (the waterway) is what is classed as an open intermediate estuary (i.e. an inland sea). It is fed by Wandandian Creek and Tomerong Creek and its primary outflow to the Tasman Sea is via the Sussex Inlet. The basin has a surface area of 40.9 square kilometres. Six artificial reefs have been constructed within it.
Several towns or settlements are located on the fringes of the waterway that particularly attract those who enjoy boating and fishing. These include Erowal Bay, Sanctuary Point, St Georges Basin, Basin View and Sussex Inlet.
The area was the home of the Dhurga Aboriginals who called the lake 'Bherwherree'. The name ‘St George’s Basin’ was chosen in June 1828 by surveyor Thomas Florance who presumably took it from nearby Cape St George (the southern peninsula to Jervis Bay) that was named by Captain Cook in 1770.
From 1841 small agricultural farms were being sold in the area, presumably because it became more accessible once The Wool Road from Nerriga to South Huskisson (now Vincentia) was constructed that year.
Shipbuilding became an industry in 1888 on Tallyan Point (near Basin View).
By 1914 commercial fishing was well established in the area, with catches being transported by lorry to the Sydney market. Commercial fishing continued until 2002 when the area was declared a recreational fishing area and the government bought back all the commercial fishing licences.
In 1909, Captain William Creswell, the government’s chief naval advisor (after whom HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay is named), recommended St Georges Basin become a future naval base and that the entrance to the Basin be dredged to accommodate shipping. Nothing came of this suggestion, but from 1943 to 1945 a squadron of 15 flying boats operated from the shores of the Basin. No.107 Squadron from Rathmines (Lake Macquarie) was transferred to the Basin and ran anti submarine patrols along the coast during the War. This RAAF Sea Plane Base closed down in July 1946.
Image: Vought Sikorsky 0S2U Kingfisher reconnaissance seaplanes of RAAF No 107 Squadron on a muddy beach at their base at St Georges Basin, 3rd July 1944.
