Macrossan Stores Depot Group facts for kids

The Macrossan Stores Depot Group is a special military site in Queensland, Australia. It is located along the Flinders Highway near Macrossan. This place is important because of its history during World War II. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Why Macrossan Was Built

After 1942, people in Australia were worried about a Japanese invasion. This fear made the country quickly build more places for Allied soldiers and their equipment. During this time, builders had to find new, faster ways to construct buildings. They also started using timber more, as it was easy to find.

Building During Wartime

From 1915 to 1941, steel was the main material for large buildings in Australia. When war started in Europe in 1939, Australia began to get its military ready. They built new training camps and simple timber huts for soldiers. But for bigger buildings, steel was still used.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the fear of invasion grew. Many Australian and American soldiers arrived, needing more places to live and store supplies. The Allied Works Council (AWC) and the Department of the Interior worked together to build these new facilities. By 1943, they had thousands of staff.

New Building Ideas

Steel was very important for making weapons and other war items. This meant that builders could not use much steel for buildings. So, the AWC started using timber instead. They even learned to build with "green" timber, which is wood that hasn't been dried.

The AWC tried new designs for large warehouses and aircraft hangars. They built big timber-framed hangars in places like Tocumwal, New South Wales. These buildings used special steel connectors. Later, they also tried using "glue laminated" timber, which is strong wood made from layers glued together.

The United States military also helped with new timber designs. They showed how to use "nail-joint construction." This method was perfect for green hardwood. It was used for large "igloo" shaped buildings and other structures.

By 1944, the danger of invasion was less. Building efforts then focused on northern Australia. This was to support Australian and US forces fighting in the war in the Pacific. Many buildings were made in southern states and then sent north or to the Pacific Islands.

Macrossan's Role in World War II

The Macrossan Stores Depot, also known as RAAF No 8 Stores Depot, was set up in 1942. It was first planned as an air base. This was because Australia worried that Japanese planes could reach them. In early 1942, several airfields were built near the Great Northern Railway line.

Two airstrips were cleared at Macrossan in April 1942. They were meant for American fighter planes. However, only one strip was fully built.

From Air Base to Storage Depot

As the war turned in favor of the Allies, new airfields were built further north. The air base at Macrossan was never fully finished. But two fighter squadrons, the 84 and 86 RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force), stayed there for short times.

Macrossan then became a major storage depot. It was officially named RAAF No 8 Stores Depot in April 1943. Some units for salvaging items and medical supplies also used the base.

The RAAF had 10 main stores depots during World War II. Macrossan was one of them. Most of these depots were temporary and closed within ten years after the war.

Buildings at Macrossan

To become a storage depot, two very large storage buildings were constructed. These were Building 50 (now called Warehouse 11) and Building 51. Their construction began in 1943. A two-kilometer railway line was also built to run through these buildings.

Other buildings included prefabricated steel-framed Bellman hangars and smaller storehouses. By 1944, the base had Bellman hangars, four large "igloo" warehouses, and the two huge RAAF ordnance stores (Buildings 50 and 51). There were also smaller store buildings, a guardhouse, and living areas for aircrew.

After the war, the Australian Government bought the land in 1949. The RAAF left the depot in 1956. The Army then took over completely. In 1972, Building 51 was destroyed by a fire. Warehouse 11 and three Bellman Hangars from World War II are still there today. The railway line into Warehouse 11 was last used in the early 1980s.

Since 1956, Macrossan has been the Army's main storage depot in northern Queensland.

What Macrossan Looks Like Today

The Macrossan Stores Depot Group is located off the Flinders Highway. It covers a large area. This area includes the old northern wartime airstrip, the railway line, Warehouse 11, four smaller store buildings (including three Bellman hangars), and some houses. You can also still see parts of World War II taxiways and where other buildings used to be.

Warehouse 11

Warehouse 11 is a very large "igloo" shaped storage building. It is part of the Australian Army's Macrossan Stores Depot. This type of building is called a "W3" design. Several W3 buildings were built in Australia in 1942 and 1943. They all had a curved, arch shape, timber frames, and metal sheeting on the outside.

Warehouse 11 has a huge roof structure made of timber trusses. These trusses are supported by five rows of strong hardwood posts. The trusses were made using steel bolts and connectors. Other RAAF stores of this type were in Dubbo, Drayton, and Merredin. Today, Warehouse 11 is the only W3 building left in Queensland. Only five others survive in Dubbo, New South Wales.

Warehouse 11 is about 94.5 meters long and 73.5 meters wide. Its curved sides are about 18 meters high. The building is covered with corrugated galvanised iron. There are three large doors on each long side for vehicles. Railway lines are still inside the building.

Natural lighting comes from windows high up in the roof and four rows of glass skylights. Small timber shutters near the ground provide light and air. Large timber-framed windows are on the shorter sides.

The concrete floor is made of many sections. Rough, axe-hewn timber posts support the roof trusses. These posts are thought to be from rainforest timbers. The inside of the building is not lined. There are two small offices inside.

Bellman Hangars

Bellman hangars were standard buildings for aircraft maintenance. They were first designed in Britain with steel frames. But because steel was needed for the war, a timber-framed version was developed. The Bellman Hangars at Macrossan are made of timber.

These hangars were once common at RAAF bases across Australia. But now, they are quite rare. Many have been removed or destroyed. There are probably fewer than 25 left in Australia that are still owned by the military.

Condition of the Site

The Australian Army has continued to use and maintain the Macrossan site since 1942. Warehouse 11 and the three Bellman hangars are in good condition and look much like they did originally.

The old northern airstrip is still easy to see. You can also see parts of the taxiways. However, most of the smaller buildings from World War II have been removed.

Warehouse 11 is mostly in its original state. Some small changes have been made for maintenance. For example, some timber shutters have been replaced with glass, and some metal roofing has been replaced with fiberglass to let in more light.

Why Macrossan is a Heritage Site

The Macrossan Stores Depot Group was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. This means it is very important for several reasons:

Its Role in History

The Macrossan Stores Depot is important because of its part in building Australia's defenses during World War II. It has four buildings from that time: a large "W3" warehouse and three Bellman hangars. You can also see signs of the old air base, like the landing strip and parts of taxiways.

The site started as a base for fighter planes in 1942 when Australia feared a Japanese invasion. Later, it became RAAF No 8 Stores Depot. It helped the RAAF and sometimes hosted fighter squadrons. After 1956, the Army took over, and it has been their main supply depot in northern Queensland ever since.

Its Rarity

Warehouse 11 is special because it is the only "W3" type RAAF warehouse left in Queensland. It is also one of only six still standing in Australia. The other five are in Dubbo, New South Wales.

The Bellman hangars are also becoming rare. Even though many were built during World War II, only about two dozen are still owned by the Australian Defence Force today.

Its Special Design

Warehouse 11 is important because it shows new and experimental building technology. The Allied Works Council and the Department of the Interior developed ways to build large structures using unseasoned hardwood instead of steel. This was necessary because steel was needed for the war. Warehouse 11 is a "W3" type building, and only twelve were ever built.

Its Technical Achievements

Warehouse 11 is a huge "igloo" warehouse. It has metal cladding supported by a timber frame. The timber trusses were made using steel bolts and connectors, even with unseasoned local hardwoods.