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	STEP 4 - Contents > Examples of heritage values > Who assesses heritage significance? > Assessing the significance of a place > What is a statement of significance? > Examples of statements of significance   > Have a go - Step 4
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	Mulgoa Nature Reserve, New South Wales Mulgoa Natural Area, Penrith, New South Wales The Mulgoa Natural Area contains an unusual and striking geological feature of a 30m high cliff of the Mulgoa Laminite (siltstone) Member of Ashfield Shale on the eastern bank of Mulgoa Creek. This natural outcrop exposes a sequence of the Wianamatta Group, including Minchinbury Sandstone which is extensive but infrequent in outcrop. The sequence is capped and protected by Rickabys Creek Gravel of Tertiary age. The place features Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest associated with the transition between Wianamatta Group shale and Hawkesbury Sandstone. This community is typically species rich, with plant species characteristic of both geological types, including some which are restricted to the transition zone. The place also contains several small but mostly undisturbed catchments. Vegetation cover over most of the area is predominantly remnant or regenerating woodlands. Significant remnants of Cumberland Plain Woodlands, a nationally endangered ecological community and endangered in NSW, occur within the place. Various woodland types that occur and are part of this Cumberland Plain Woodlands ecological community are Shale Hills Woodland, Moist Shale Woodland, Shale Plains Woodland and Alluvial Woodland. Grey box-ironbark woodland, typical of the shale woodland types is endemic to the Cumberland Plain of the western Sydney region and predominates throughout the place. The place also contains Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest along major water courses, the naturally restricted Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest and Western Sydney Dry Rainforest which are listed as endangered ecological communities in NSW. Remnant vegetation along Mulgoa Creek and its tributaries provides links with the nearby Blue Mountains National Park. The various vegetation types and landscapes, including riparian corridors with Western Sydney Dry Rainforest and Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest, the shale cliff habitat and the restricted Moist Shale Woodland, provide an important diversity of habitats for native fauna and flora, particularly woodland birds. Dillwynia tenuifolia, which is nationally vulnerable and vulnerable in NSW occurs in the sandstone outcrop vegetation community associated with the Ashfield Shale cliff within the place. Acacia fimbriata, and Wurmbea biglandulosa have particular regional significance and are vulnerable in western Sydney. Twenty other plant species that occur in the place are vulnerable in western Sydney. Mulgoa Natural Area includes the archaeological remains of Regentville. Regentville (1823-1869) was constructed for Sir John Jamison (1776-1844) physician, landowner and constitutional reformer who arrived on the First Fleet. Regentville was known as the grandest and most substantial house in the colony of NSW, and was named in honour of George IV, the former Prince Regent. Despite its ruinous state Regentville is an important site as the place where Sir John Jamison chose to have his mansion complex built and where he established a major agricultural enterprise. The Regentville site is historically significant as a rare example of the site of probably the first wine estate to use the terraced vineyard technique (c1830); one of the few early wine estates where the vineyard terraces and, though ruinous, the old winery can still be located. The vineyards are important as one of the earliest complete wine-producing enterprises planned and implemented at the time ie. vineyards, large winery/store, access road and circulation system. The place has associations with Henry Kitchen (mansion design) and Sir Henry Parkes (labourer at Regentville 1839-40). The Regentville ruins and surrounds is an area of substantial archaeological deposit and archaeological potential. The site has already yielded substantial archaeological evidence of early 19th century development. It also contains numerous plants likely to be the progeny of earlier species. These plants are useful in maintaining an appropriate character and setting for the site. The place is used for educational purposes by geology and archaeology students and also has excellent potential for studying the comparison of sandstone and shale vegetation communities.   .....