The Limestone Quarry in the layout is a representation of a local quarry that could be found throughout the Limestone Coast region.

A coralline limestone quarry – Mt Gambier – Photo by Eric Arthur c1955 (State Library of South Australia, BRG 347/1123)

Coralline limestone (fossilized lace coral that was deposited over 30 million years ago) was discovered in the Mt Gambier region in about 1842.

Limestone is a durable, natural building material used for centuries in everything from the pyramids to modern homes due to its strength, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. It is used as blocks for structural walls, as cladding for exterior walls, and for features like paving and retaining walls. Its durability, resistance to weather, and natural thermal mass also make it a sustainable and long-lasting choice.

Limestone is an excellent medium for sculpturing as it is extremely easy to work with. Ordinary woodworking tools such as saws, chisels, planes etc can be used.

Example of an operational quarry at Compton near Mt Gambier. Photo courtesy of Gem Group Holdings Pty Ltd of Mt Gambier.

Examples of local limestone building:

Current National Australia Bank, 81 Smith Street, Naracoorte, c1923. Courtesy of State Library of SA.

Further reading:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and David Young, Technical Note 3.6: Stone Masonry in South Australia, October 1993. https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/tech_note3_6.pdf