Landsborough Air Raid Shelter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Landsborough Air Raid Shelter |
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Landsborough Air Raid Shelter, 2012
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| Location | Cribb Street, Landsborough, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Built | 1942 |
| Official name: Public Air Raid Shelter, Landsborough Railway Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 3 April 2009 |
| Reference no. | 602709 |
| Significant period | 1942 (fabric) 1940s (historical use) |
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The Landsborough Air Raid Shelter is a special building in Landsborough, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1942 during World War II to protect people from air raids. This shelter is now recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 3 April 2009.
A Shelter for Wartime Travellers
The Landsborough Air Raid Shelter was built in 1942 by Queensland Rail. It was made of strong concrete to protect train passengers. People waiting at the Landsborough railway station could hide here if Japanese planes attacked.
Landsborough During World War II
Landsborough became a busy place during World War II. Many military camps were set up nearby. Australian and American soldiers were stationed in the area. They trained here before going to fight in other parts of the world.
Thousands of troops used the Landsborough railway station. They arrived and left by train. Many troop trains also passed through Landsborough on their way to North Queensland. Sometimes, these trains stopped for refreshments.
The North Coast railway line was extremely busy during the war. Trains carrying ammunition and troops had top priority. This often caused delays for regular civilian trains.
Why Air Raid Shelters Were Built
Building air raid shelters like this one was important for public safety. In December 1941, the government made new rules. These rules said that states needed to protect their people and property.
Queensland's Premier, William Forgan Smith, ordered many public shelters to be built. This was especially true in coastal areas. Businesses and local governments also had to build shelters if many people gathered there.
Queensland was the only Australian state to build public air raid shelters at railway stations. This was because its railway network was seen as very important and vulnerable to attack.
Designing the Shelters
There was some discussion about who should build these shelters. Eventually, the Department of Public Works and Queensland Railways agreed to work together. Queensland Railways took on the financial cost.
A basic plan for these shelters was created on March 24, 1942. It showed a strong concrete shelter about 42 feet (13 m) long and 12 feet 0.5 inches (3.670 m) wide. The walls were 12 inches (300 mm) thick. The roof was about 6 inches (150 mm) to 7 inches (180 mm) thick.
The shelter had two entrances. They were set back from the front wall. Inside, blast walls created special corridors. These corridors made a 90-degree turn into the main shelter space. This design helped protect people from explosions.
The plan was signed by Charles Da Costa, the main architect for Queensland Railways. He was an expert in designing with reinforced concrete.
Similar Shelters Across Queensland
Many public air raid shelters at railway stations shared a similar design. This "pillbox" style was used in and around Brisbane. You can still see similar shelters at Maryborough, Shorncliffe, and Toowoomba.
Most railway public shelters in Brisbane were taken down in the 1950s and 1960s. Only the Shorncliffe shelter remains there. The Landsborough and Maryborough shelters are two of only four railway public shelters still standing in Queensland.
What the Shelter Looks Like
The Landsborough Air Raid Shelter is found at the southern end of the northbound platform at Landsborough Railway Station. It is on the Sunshine Coast line.
It's a simple, box-shaped building made completely of reinforced concrete. It is about 12.8 by 3.7 metres (42 ft × 12 ft) in size. It runs north–south along the train platform.
Inside the Shelter
You enter the shelter from the east side. There are recessed entrance corridors at each end. These corridors have internal blast walls that turn sharply into the main room. This design helps protect people inside from blasts.
The floor inside is bare ground. Over time, some graffiti has appeared on the inner walls. The inside height is about 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in).
The concrete walls are about 300 millimetres (12 in) thick. The roof is a bit thinner, about 150–175 millimetres (5.9–6.9 in) thick. Both the inside and outside surfaces have a rough concrete finish.
There are eleven special "dog-legged" ventilation slots on both the east and west sides. These slots let air in but block direct blast waves. One entrance has a new door, and the other has a new metal security gate.
The shelter is surrounded by a well-kept garden on the south and west sides. The raised concrete and bitumen station platform is on the north and east sides.
Why This Place is Important
The Landsborough Air Raid Shelter is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's a very important historical site.
A Glimpse into Queensland's Past
This shelter shows us how Queensland prepared for war during World War II. It was built to keep people safe at the Landsborough railway station. It helps us understand the big impact the war had on Queensland.
A Rare Piece of History
This shelter is a rare example of a public air raid shelter built by Queensland Railways. It is one of only two such shelters left on the North Coast railway line. The other is in Maryborough. In fact, only four railway station shelters like this still exist in all of Queensland. Queensland was the only Australian state to build these at railway stations.
A Typical Wartime Design
The Landsborough Air Raid Shelter is a great example of its kind. It shows the main features of public air raid shelters built by Queensland Railways. It was placed where many people gathered. It has a rectangular shape, strong concrete walls and roof, two entrances on the same side, and those special air vents.
